INTRODUCING: THE METAL-MATRIX HIGH-TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTOR.

Powders and powder mixtures, including ceramic powders, can be consolidated into contiguous monoliths by dynamic compaction using explosively generated shock waves; many such powders can be explosively clad or bonded to metal containers as a simultaneous event during shock consolidation. These techniques may be employed as the bases of a novel processing technology for high temperature ceramic superconductor powders. The fact that shock wave compaction generates crystal defects contributes to the support of superconducting behavior in these materials. YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/ channel rings are presently consolidated within a copper cladding. 7 references.