Powder-in-tube processed MgB2/Fe tapes were fabricated in situ using benzene, naphthalene and thiophene as additives. It was found that the aromatic hydrocarbons were very effective for increasing the JC values. The JC values of 20mol% benzene-added tapes reached 130A/mm2 at 4.2K and 10T. This value was almost comparable to that of 10mol%SiC-added tapes and about 4 times higher than that of tapes with no additions. Microstructural analyses suggest that this JC enhancement was due to both the substitution of C for B in MgB2 and the smaller MgB2 grain size.

Effect of Aromatic Hydrocarbon Addition on in situ Powder-in-Tube Processed MgB2 Tapes. H.Yamada, M.Hirakawa, H.Kumakura, H.Kitaguchi: Superconductor Science and Technology, 2006, 19, 175-7