Mechanical properties of highly oriented FeSe0.5Te0.5 superconductor

Abstract

We have synthesized highly oriented samples of the superconducting compound FeSe0.5Te0.5 and investigated its mechanical properties. These samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive analysis, x-ray diffraction, and electrical resistivity. The measured critical temperature is TC~14.5 K. Hardness and elastic modulus on the ab- and a(b)c-plane were obtained by instrumented indentation. The samples’ morphology consists of plate-like crystals with a lamellar structure. Two phases were observed with a typically eutectic microstructure composed by white and gray lamellas when observed with SEM using backscattered electrons. The white phase is richer in Te and poorer in Se than the gray phase. No significant differences in hardness and elastic modulus were observed between ab- and a(b)c-planes. Hardness profiles indicated values in the range 0.6–0.8 GPa at deep tip penetration depths, while the elastic modulus showed values in between 20–25 GPa. Cracking was occasionally observed in the ab-plane and at low loads.