Texturation of YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ thick films by electrophoretic deposition under magnetic field

YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ coatings were deposited by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) onto Ni substrates. Particles of different sizes and shapes were used in order to study the influence of the powder microstructure on the film density. Texturation of the thick films was induced by application of a magnetic field during the electrophoretic deposition. X-ray diffraction analysis has clearly shown preferred c-axis alignment of the YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ films along the direction normal to the substrate surface. Scanning electron microscopy and optical polarised light microscopy were used to characterise the microstructure of the coatings, revealing a non-random platelets organisation.