Texture and properties of epitaxial substrates for second-generation tape superconductors

Abstract

Data on the degree of cube texture perfection, magnetic, and strength properties of two groups of alloys, namely, nickel- and copper-based compositions are reported. For all the alloys under study, a certain quantitative ratio of principal texture components in the alloys subjected to cold rolling to 98.6–99.0% degree of deformation was shown to be a criterion for the possibility of preparing a sharp cube texture in tapes in the course of subsequent recrystallizing annealing. Optimum compositions of nickel-based alloys, which are nonmagnetic at a working temperature of superconductor, were found; all copper-based alloys are nonmagnetic at this temperature. The strength properties of recrystallized nickel- and copper-based tapes are substantially higher than those of tapes made of pure metals.