Flux Pinning Optimization of Bulk Samples Prepared Using High-Energy Ball Milling and Addition of

is considered to be an important conductor for applications. Optimizing flux pinning in these conductors can improve their critical currents. Doping can influence flux pinning efficiency and grain connectivity, and also affect the resistivity, upper critical field and critical temperature. This study was designed to attempt the doping of on the Mg sites with metal-diborides using high-energy ball milling. samples were prepared by milling pre-reacted and powders using a Spex 8000M mill with WC jars and balls in a nitrogen-filled glove box. The mixing concentration in was up to . Samples were removed from the WC jars after milling times up to 4000 minutes and formed into pellets using cold isostatic pressing. The pellets were heat treated in a hot isostatic press (HIP) at 1000 under a pressure of 30 kpsi for 24 hours. The influence that milling time and addition had on the microstructure and the resulting superconducting properties of -added is discussed. Improvement of at high magnetic fields and of pinning could be obtained in milled samples with added . The sample with added and milled for 300 minutes showed values of and at 2 T, 4.2 K. The milled and -mixed samples showed higher values of than the unmilled-unmixed sample.