Properties of massive Ag/YBCO contacts obtained by explosive compaction with subsequent heat treatment

Axisymmetric explosive compaction with a shock-wave pressure of 2 GPa was used to obtain low-resistance Ag/YBCO (YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-x}$) contacts. Measurements were made of compressive strength at 300 K and microhardness and electrical resistivity within the temperature interval 300–77 K for annealed specimens of Ag/YBCO. Ultimate compressive strength was 0.12 GPa. The microhardness of the ceramic near the Ag/YBCO interface was 3.1 GPa. Contact resistance at the temperature of liquid nitrogen $<$ 1 $\cdot$ 10$^{-8}$ $\omega$ $\cdot$ cm$^2$ (contact area $\sim$1.0 cm$^2$).