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Title: Superconducting properties of powder metallurgically processed Ti-alloyed Nb/sub 3/Sn microcomposites

Journal Article · · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.339530· OSTI ID:6418865

CuNb/sub 3/Sn microcomposite wires with Ti additions have been produced by the hot-powder-metallurgical preparation method. The influence of the Nb/sub 3/Sn filament diameter, heat treatment, and Ti addition on the superconducting properties are discussed on the basis of critical current densities (up to fields of 22 T), critical temperatures, as well as x-ray microprobe analyses. Critical current measurements of Nb/sub 3/Sn multifilamentary tapes indicate that filament/matrix interfaces are dominant flux pinning centers in these composites. When Ti is incorporated into the A15 phase, the upper critical field is enhanced by about 2 T with respect to unalloyed superconductors. A drastic improvement of the superconducting properties can be achieved by the utilization of larger Nb powder particles. In microcomposites prepared from larger Nb powder (100--300 ..mu..m), B/sub c//sub 2/ is enhanced by about 3--4 T with respect to finer Nb powder (20--45 ..mu..m). Critical fields up to 21.4 T and critical current values of 1.2 x 10/sup 4/ A/cm/sup 2/ at a magnetic field of 16 T and 4.5 x 10/sup 3/ A/cm/sup 2/ at 18 T are obtained for microcomposites prepared from coarser Nb powder with an addition of 2 wt. % Ti.

Research Organization:
Institut fuer Metallphysik, University of Goettingen, D-3400 Goettingen, West Germany
OSTI ID:
6418865
Journal Information:
J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 62:5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English