Electrolytic superconducting niobium coatings for a cryogyroscope rotor: creation and properties

Abstract

Electrodeposition of niobium coatings on spherical substrates for a cryogyroscope rotor made of carbopyroceram was considered. A special design of the installation for obtaining coatings on spherical samples was created. The coatings were applied at a temperature of 750°C with the cathodic current density of 5·10−3 - 2–10−2 A·cm−2 and the electrolysis time of 8-12 h. It was found that the use of a cathodic current density of 2·10−2 A·cm−2 and higher is impractical, because there is a roughening of the coatings surface. The composition of electrolytic coatings was identified by XRD analysis. The macrostructure of niobium coatings was studied using electron microscopy. The concentration of metallic impurities in the niobium coatings was defined by spectral quantitative analysis. The content of gas impurities was determined by gas chromatography. The roughness, nonsphericity, and superconductive properties of niobium coatings were investigated.