IOP Publishing, Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, 11S(51), p. 11PG13, 2012
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Mixtures of MgB2 and metal or oxide additions with starting compositions of (MgB2)(M2O3) x , x = 0.0025, 0.005, 0.015, and (MgB2)(M) y , y = 0.01, M = Bi, Sb, were processed by spark plasma sintering (SPS). As-obtained samples are composites with high density exceeding 94% of the theoretical values. Secondary phases indicate similar reactions for samples with Bi- or Sb-based additions. However, samples show very different superconducting characteristics depending on the addition type and amount. A direct correlation with the melting temperature of the addition could not be revealed, although some aspects will be discussed. From the critical current density (J c) and irreversibility field (H irr) enhancement viewpoints, optimum additions are oxides for x=0.0025, 0.005. Both oxides improve J c at high fields, but Sb2O3 is effective up to 10 K, whereas Bi2O3 is effective up to 30 K. Metal additions decrease J c and H irr when compared with a pristine MgB2 sample.