Thermal analysis of high temperature ZrO2 insulation ceramic coatings on Ag tapes used as sheath of Bi-2212 superconducting materials using finite element method

High temperature ZrO2-based insulation ceramic coatings were produced on Ag or AgMg sheathed Bi-2212 superconducting tapes by reel-to-reel sol-gel technique for magnet technology. These coatings are exposed to thermal loadings under annealing conditions. The residual stresses of the coatings with different thickness, as well as changes during thermal cycling were simulated by finite element analysis (FEA). It serves to produce model materials on which properties investigations are carried to better understand the one of industrially produced material. Results showed that the residual stress was the lowest for 1-mum thick coatings compared to that of 2- and 3-mum thick coatings, and the residual stresses increased with increased in coating thickness. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved