Orientation loss of microcrystals of DyBa2Cu3Oy in a polymer composite during curing of the medium under an external magnetic field

Abstract

A liquid medium containing microcrystals of DyBa₂Cu₃O_y with y ∼ 7 (Dy123) was cured under a magnetic field, and the change in crystal orientation during the curing was monitored by means of in situ X-ray diffraction measurement. The initially achieved crystal orientation deteriorated as curing proceeded. We present a model that explains the experimental results. The model showed that the orientation loss depends on the particle size, degree of shrinkage, initial viscosity of the matrix, and cure rate. We found that there are optimum conditions that minimize the deterioration of the orientation.