Abstract
The present work focuses on the effect of internal (niobium) and external (bronze) alloying of Zr on the superconducting properties of Nb3Sn in a Cu(Sn)/Nb system through the diffusion couple method. Alloying of Zr with either Cu(5.5 at.% Sn) or Nb enhances the critical current density (Jc) of the Nb3Sn superconductor phase developed at the interdiffusion zone of Cu(5.5 at.% Sn, 2 at.% Zr)/Nb and Cu(5.5 at.% Sn)/Nb(2 at.% Zr). Enhancement of Jc of Zr-alloyed Nb3Sn has been attributed to an increment in grain boundary fraction for Nb3Sn. Dew Hughes model provided an insight into the pinning mechanisms responsible for enhancement of Jc. Strengthening of pinning forces of Nb3Sn with internal alloying of Zr might have originated because of the nanometer-sized β-(Nb, Zr) second-phase developed within the Nb3Sn phase matrix. No change in critical temperature for Zr-alloyed Nb3Sn makes Zr a suitable alloying element for applications.
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