Mechanical characterization of melt-textured Y0.95Er0.05Ba2Cu3O7−δ superconductor prepared in air

The effect of Er substitution on the mechanical properties of ab- and a(b)c-planes of melt-textured YBa2Cu3O7−δ is reported in the present work. The non-oxygenated samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and mechanical properties by instrumented indentation and conventional Vickers indentation whereas the superconducting properties were determined by resistivity measurements on oxygenated samples. The X-ray pattern and EDS analysis revealed the presence of Y-123, Y-211 and BaCeO3 phases. Er substitution up to 5 wt.% did not affect the superconducting properties. No difference in hardness was observed for the ab- and a(b)c-planes. Elastic modulus of the a(b)c-plane was 10% higher than of the ab-plane. Differences in indentation fracture toughness obtained by conventional Vickers indentation of the ab- and a(b)c-planes was observed. The addition of 5 wt.% of Er did not affect significantly the mechanical properties of melt-textured samples when compared with pure melt-textured YBa2Cu3O7−δ.