Self-Field Effects in Magneto-Thermal Instabilities for Nb-Sn Strands

Abstract

Recent advancements in the critical current density of conductors, coupled with a large effective filament size, have drawn attention to the problem of magneto-thermal instabilities. At low magnetic fields, the quench current of such high strands is significantly lower than their critical current because of the above-mentioned instabilities. An adiabatic model to calculate the minimum current at which a strand can quench due to magneto-thermal instabilities is developed. The model is based on an dasiaintegralpsila approach already used elsewhere . The main difference with respect to the previous model is the addition of the self-field effect that allows to describe premature quenches of non-magnetized strands and to better calculate the quench current of strongly magnetized strands. The model is in good agreement with experimental results at 4.2 K obtained at Fermilab using virgin Modified Jelly Roll (MJR) strands with a low residual resistivity ratio (RRR) of the stabilizing copper. The prediction of the model at 1.9 K and the results of the tests carried out at CERN, at 4.2 K and 1.9 K, on a 0.8 mm Rod Re-Stack Process (RRP) strand with a low RRR value are discussed. At 1.9 K the test revealed an unexpected strand performance at low fields that might be a sign of a new stability regime.