Hot isostatic processing of high current density high temperature conductors

A method to form a superconducting wire or ribbon contains the steps: (1) forming ceramic powder, (2) forming pellets from the powder, (3) inserting the pellets in a metal sheath, (4) reducing the cross-section of the sheathed pellets to form a composite, (5) sealing the composite in a deformable container, (6) hot isostatically pressing the composite at a temperature over 600 DEG C., where the temperature is close to or just above the melting point of the core, and (7) annealing the pressed composite in a source of oxygen at a temperature from 770 DEG C. to 870 DEG C. for at least 40 hours.