Process for heat treating superconductor wire

A coated oxide superconducting wire, comprising:

• an oxide superconductor wire, said wire comprising an oxide superconductor or precursor thereto embedded within a matrix of a malleable, inert metal, coated by a removable separating layer, the separating layer comprising a material selected to prevent the oxide superconductor wire from adhering to itself during heat treatment of the oxide superconductor or precursor.

A coated oxide superconducting wire, comprising:

• an oxide superconductor wire, said wire comprising an oxide superconductor or precursor thereto embedded within a matrix of a malleable, inert metal, coated by a separating layer comprising magnesium oxide, wherein the separating layer prevents the oxide superconductor wire from adhering to itself during heat treatment of the oxide superconductor or precursor.

A coated oxide superconducting wire, comprising:

• an oxide superconductor wire, said wire comprising an oxide superconductor or precursor thereto embedded within a matrix of a malleable, inert metal, coated by a separating layer,
• wherein the separating layer is characterized in that enough of the separating layer may be taken off the wire that a subsequent rolling operation does not result in uneven stress being applied to the wire due to the presence of the separating layer.