Abstract
The infiltration driving force and the growth mechanism of the liquid infiltration and seeded growth process on YBa2Cu3O7-x, were studied. The main driving force for the liquid infiltration is either the capillary force or the chemical potential, while gravity does not play a significant role and may be neglected. The particle size and distribution of the Y-211 inclusions of the final Y-123 specimen prepared by the liquid infiltration and seeded growth process are solely determined by the particle size and distribution of the Y-211 preform. The critical current density at 77 K was determined to be 80 000 A cm(-2) under self-field and 35 000 A cm(-2) under 1.5 T. The superconducting properties are highly enhanced using this method compared to the conventional melt texture growth process.