Strain Reduced Critical Current In Bi-2223/Ag Superconductors Under Axial Tension and Compression

Abstract

The critical current of Ag sheathed Bi(Pb)SrCaCuO-2223 tape conductors is investigated as a function of various strain components. A reduction of the critical current occurs due to both tensile or a compressive strain. The critical current reduction is qualitatively similar with the results as observed in Bi-2212 conductors. An axial compression leads to an immediate critical current reduction. The critical current in an axially elongated sample remains nearly constant up to a certain limit typically close to 0.3% strain. For a larger elongation the critical current reduces rapidly. A transverse pressure acting on the tape surface leads also to an irreversible critical current reduction. This behaviour is compared with the influence of an axial compression with an effective Young’s modulus. The deformation induced critical current reductions in Bi-2223 conductors can be described by a model that is already proposed for Bi-2212 conductors. This model is based on the irreversible nature of the critical current reduction due to a certain deformation.