Effect of metal impregnation in the field cool magnetization of bulk superconductor

Gd-Ba-Cu-O bulk superconductors have significant potential for various applications due to the high critical current density and the highly trapped magnetic fields. Recently we have developed a large sized bulk superconductor using Gd210, which is discovered in the microgravity experiment. We investigated the mechanical properties and the cryostability of the Gd-Ba-Cu-O bulk superconductor to determine how to improve toughness and heat conduction of the large sized bulk superconductor. We introduced a stainless ring around the circumference of the bulk to increase the fracture strength of the bulk. Also, we introduced Al wires inserted in the hole along the c-axis of the bulk, and then the sample was subjected to the impregnation by using Bi-Sn-Cd alloy. We measured the trapped magnetic fields and the repulsive forces of the samples. The trapped magnetic field distributions were 1.13-1.36 T. The repulsive forces at 1 mm gap between the sample bulk and the permanent magnet with the surface magnetic induction of 0.37 T were about 70 N at 77 K. We have also measured the temperature dependence of the trapped magnetic field, and confirmed the effect of metal impregnation.