Transverse compressive stress effect in Y-Ba-Cu-O coatings on biaxially textured Ni and Ni-W substrates

Electromechanical properties of yttrium-barium-copper-oxide (YBCO) coatings on both pure Ni and Ni-5at.%W alloy rolling-assisted, biaxially-textured substrates (RABiTS) were investigated. The effect of transverse compressive stress on transport critical-current densities (J/sub c/) was measured on samples at 76 K and self magnetic field. Transverse compressive stress can significantly degrade J/sub c/ in YBCO deposited on pure Ni RABiTS unless sufficient frictional support is provided to the sample or the substrate is given a work-hardening treatment. On the other hand, results obtained for YBCO on Ni-5at.%W alloy RABiTS show that the tolerance to transverse stress of these conductors is significantly improved. These electromechanical properties are interpreted with scanning-electron micrographs of the microstructure of the samples after electromechanical testing, as well as stress-strain characteristics measured on RABiTS substrates at 76 K. The tensile yield strength, Young's modulus, and proportional limit of elasticity of candidate RABiTS substrate materials are tabulated and compared.