Removal of degradation of the performance of an epoxy impregnated YBCO-coated conductor double pancake coil by using a polyimide-electrodeposited YBCO-coated conductor

Abstract

Degradation of the epoxy impregnated YBCO coil performance is due to tensile radial stress concentration on the outer edge of the conductor during cool down. This stress acts as a cleavage stress and opens the conductor edge, fracturing the YBCO layer. The fracture propagates to another edge of the conductor, resulting in degradation of the coil performance. Degradation of the epoxy impregnated YBCO coil is eliminated, if we use a polyimide-electrodeposited YBCO-coated conductor: tensile radial stress concentration on the outer edge of the conductor is reduced due to plastic deformation of the ductile polyimide. Polyimide electrodeposition onto the YBCO-coated conductor is reliable, uniform, easy to apply, and can be extended to larger YBCO magnets, removing the risk of coil degradation.