Rapid solidification of oxide ceramics is a novel processing technique which can yield materials with microstructures and properties which cannot be obtained by other processing techniques. This proposal is for the purchase of an induction heating unit to heat oxides to their melting point and then rapidly solidify them. These materials have enormous potential for structural, magnetic, electrical, and superconducting applications as well as producing glasses of unique compositions. Two classes of oxide systems, ZrO2 containing ceramics and MBa2Cu3O7-x (M=Y,Dy,Gd) superconductors will be melted by induction heating and rapidly solidified by twin roller quenching. These materials will be examined by differential thermal analysis, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction.
