Effect of magnetic flux distribution and magnetic powder addition on the magnetic levitation force of Sm123 superconductors

Abstract

Sm123 and Sm211 were prepared by melt-powder-melt-growth and solid-state-reaction techniques, respectively, to have the nominal composition of (Sm123) 0.75 (Sm211) 0.25. After the preparation of this composition, the Fe-B magnetic powder (MP) was added to the composition for 0.000, 0.010, 0.015, 0.025, 0.050 wt.% to investigate the effect of MP addition on the levitation force density (LFD). Additionally, different permanent magnets (PM) were used as magnetic-field source to investigate the effect of magnetic-field gradient on the LFD of MP added superconductors. Our findings indicate that the MP addition acts as a flux pinning centre in the sample and enhances the LFD up to 0.025 wt.% adding amount, and the optimum flux gradient which produces a screening current in the sample occurs when the B/d (magnetic-field intensity/ diameter of PM) ratio is equal to 0.060. These results imply that the experimental data can be useful for fabricating process of superconducting samples with larger MLF values, and designing of superconducting magnets, flywheel energy storage and maglev systems. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.