A composite superconducting material (8) is made of ceramic superconducting particles (5) which are coated with a noble material (4) and surrounding by a metal matrix material (6). The metal matrix material (6) fills the regions between the coated ceramic particles (5). The noble material (4) is chemically nonreactive with the ceramic. Preferably, it is silver. The coating serves to chemically insulate the ceramic superconducting particles (5) from the matrix material (6). The matrix material is a metal that is susceptible to the superconducting proximity effect. Preferably, it is a NbTi alloy. The matrix material (6) is induced to become superconducting by the superconducting proximity effect when the temperature of the superoconducting material (8) is below the critical temperature of the ceramic superconducting particles (5). The superconducting material (8) has the improved mechanical properties of the matrix material (6). An alternative embodiment of the invention utilizes uncoated A15 compound superconducting particles in a metal matrix material which is preferably a NbTi alloy.
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