Highly-strengthened alumina-copper alloy matrix (Nb,Ti)/sub 3/Sn conductor fabricated by using the tube process

Abstract

In order to fabricate a large-bore, high-field magnet which achieves a low foil weight and volume, a high strength compound superconducting wire is required. The alumina-copper strengthened (Nb,Ti)/sub 3/Sn wire which contained 30 vol.% alumina-Cu alloy fabricated by using the tube process has been developed and tested for critical current density, mechanical properties, transverse compressive stress effects and related properties. As a result, it was found that the reinforced (Nb,Ti)/sub 3/Sn wire had high transverse compressive stress tolerance, for example only 3% decrease which was 1/3 of the Cu matrix wire in I/sub c//I/sub c0/ at 60 MPa and reversibility in I/sub c/ between 0 and 200 MPa. Using the newly developed reinforced-(Nb,Ti)/sub 3/Sn wire, it will be possible to fabricate a lightweight, large-bore, high-field and compact superconducting magnet in the near future.