A new fabrication process called the alginate method is outlined for the production of high-Tc superconducting oxide ceramic fibers. The process is based on the gelation of a sodium alginate aqueous solution, in which cations are exchanged with protons or multivalent metal ions. Dense and continuous Y-Ba-Cu-O superconducting fibers have been successfully fabricated by firing the Y-Ba-Cu-alginate fibers at temperatures above 900°C.
The fibers, diameter of which is as thin as 100μm, have demonstrated at ensile strength of 192 MPa and a Tc of 85K.
