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Title: Mechanical properties of high-current multifilamentary Nb/sub 3/Sn conductors

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5349030

Nb/sub 3/Sn is a strain-sensitive superconductor which exhibits large changes in properties for strains of less than 1 percent. The critical current density at 12 T undergoes a reversible degradation of a factor of two for compressive strains of about 1 percent and undergoes an irreversible degradation for tensile strains on the Nb/sub 3/Sn greater than 0.2 percent. Consequently, the successful application of Nb/sub 3/Sn in large high-field magnets requires a complete understanding of the mechanical properties of the conductor. One conductor which is being used for many applications consists of filaments of Nb/sub 3/Sn in a bronze matrix, and much progress has been made in understanding the mechanical behavior of this composite. The Nb/sub 3/Sn filaments are placed in compression due to the differential thermal contraction between Nb/sub 3/Sn and bronze which occurs when the composite is cooled from the Nb/sub 3/Sn formation temperature (typically 700/sup 0/C) to the 4.2/sup 0/K operating temperature. The general behavior of the critical current when this conductor is subjected to a tensile stress is an increase to a maximum when the compressive strain on the Nb/sub 3/Sn is relieved, followed by a decrease as the Nb/sub 3/Sn filemants are placed in tension. The degree of precompression is controlled largely by the ratio of bronze to Nb/sub 3/Sn in the conductor.

Research Organization:
California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore National Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
5349030
Report Number(s):
UCRL-84040; CONF-800587-1; TRN: 80-012576
Resource Relation:
Conference: International cryogenic materials conference, Upton, NY, USA, 28 May 1980
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English