Oxygen dispersion hardened silver sheathed superconductor composites

A method of preparing an oxide dispersion hardened noble metal oxide superconductor composite, comprising:

• (a) oxidizing a composite, the composite comprising a precursor alloy phase comprising component metallic elements of an oxide superconductor in substantially stoichiometric proportions and a noble metal matrix alloyed with a solute metal in intimate contact with the precursor alloy, under conditions effective to form solute metal oxide domains within the noble metal matrix and to form a precursor oxide in the precursor alloy phase;
• and
• (b) subjecting the oxidized precursor composite to a softening anneal under conditions effective to relieve stress within the noble metal matrix.

An oxide superconductor composite, comprising:

• an oxide superconductor phase substantially surrounded by a noble metal matrix, the noble metal matrix comprising a metal oxide in an amount effective to form metal oxide domains that increase hardness of the composite, the composite characterized by a critical current density at least 10% greater than a comparable oxide superconductor composite lacking metal oxide domains.

An oxide superconductor composite, comprising:

• an oxide superconductor phase substantially surrounded with a noble metal phase, the noble metal phase comprising a metal oxide in an amount effective to form metal oxide domains that increase hardness of the composite, the composite characterized by a degree of texture at least 10% greater than a comparable oxide superconductor composite lacking metal oxide domains.

An oxide superconductor precursor alloy composite, comprising:

• a precursor alloy phase comprising component metallic elements of an oxide superconductor in substantially stoichiometric proportions;
• and
• a noble metal phase alloyed with a solute metal in intimate contact with the precursor alloy, the solute metal present in an amount effective to form metal oxide domains that increase hardness of the composite.