Development of Nb/sub 3/Sn conductor for ac superconducting power transmission cables. Final report

Technical Report · Tue Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7324749· OSTI ID:7324749

Brisbin, P H; Markiewicz, W D; Rosner, C H

The experimental studies performed under this contract comprised investigation of two principal approaches to achieving very low levels of ac loss in Nb/sub 3/Sn produced by the liquid diffusion process. These approaches were inhibition of the formation of coarse structured Nb/sub 3/Sn surface layers; and surface refinement by removal of coarse structured Nb/sub 3/Sn surface layers. The results of these investigations are reported in detail. It was found that ac losses increased directly and sensitively with Sn loading, whereas formation of the coarse surface layer responded limitedly and sluggishly to this parameter. No quantitative correlation was identified between losses and the observed thickness of the coarse structure. Although the effect of coating composition on losses was apparent in some samples, compositional influences tended to be obscured by the predominantly regulatory role of the Sn loading parameter. Nb/sub 3/Sn formation under ''Sn limited'' reaction conditions appeared as the only useful guideline as inferred from the data for achievement of low loss Nb/sub 3/Sn product. In contrast, the investigation focused upon surface refinement methods which led to a viable and attractive method for achieving low losses in Nb/sub 3/Sn tapes, produced by the liquid diffusion process. This method, which was developed, involved a supplementary treatment of Nb/sub 3/Sn tape performed after completion of the diffusion heat treatment step in accordance with standard procedure. The process demonstrated reliability and uniformly successful results in both the investigative experiments and in the preparation of deliverable sample tapes.

• Research Organization: Intermagnetics General Corp., Guilderland, NY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: E(11-1)-2549
• OSTI ID: 7324749
• Report Number(s): CONS-2549-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
SUPERCONDUCTING CABLES
AC LOSSES
ENERGY CONSERVATION
FABRICATION
LAYERS
NIOBIUM ALLOYS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SURFACE TREATMENTS
TIN ALLOYS
ALLOYS
CABLES
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
ELECTRIC CABLES
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
200303* - Power Transmission & Distribution- Superconducting & Cryogenic Systems- (-1989)
360101 - Metals & Alloys- Preparation & Fabrication