There are provided an intermetallic compound superconductor that is high in
superconducting transition temperature, and an alloy superconductor that is high
in superconducting transition temperature and excels in malleability and ductility,
as well as a method of making such a superconductor with good reproducibility and
at a low cost of manufacture. This entirely new intermetallic compound superconductor
is made of magnesium (Mg) and boron (B) and has a chemical composition expressed
by formula: Mg1B2, has a hexagonal AlB2 type crystallographic
structure and has a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of 39
K. An alloy containing this intermetallic compound excels in malleability and ductility
and constitutes the alloy superconductor having a superconducting transition temperature
(Tc) of 39 K. In the method of manufacture, a Mg containing feedstock
powder and a B containing feedstock powder are mixed together to form a mixture
thereof which is, e.g., hot pressed to produce a semiconductor product.