Study of morphological and structural properties of multi-seeded NdBaCuO samples

In this work, we report on the morphological and structural properties of multi-seeded melt textured NdBaCuO bars, using MgO seeds. We have characterised the samples by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. In particular by these techniques we analysed the characteristics of boundaries joining adjacent domains. For 2 centimetres spacings between adjacent seeds, good texturing and absence of Nd422-rich quenched liquid deposits or other spurious phases near the boundaries have been observed. On the other side a serious mechanical fragility, sensibly enhanced along the boundary regions, is found. The superconducting properties, such as critical temperature and critical current density have been investigated by means of magnetic measurements.