Processing and properties of long-lengths of Ag-clad BSCCO superconductors and high-{Tc} magnets

Long lengths of Ag-clad mono and multicore BSCCO tapes were fabricated by the powder-in-tube technique. The critical current density (J{sub c}) of 125-m-long monocore tapes was {approx}12,000 A/cm{sup 2} (critical current, I{sub c} 20 A) at 77 K. A 230-m-long 37-filament tape carried an I{sub c} of 14 A (corresponding to a J{sub c} of {approx}10,000 A/cm{sup 2}). Pancake-shaped coils were formed from long-length conductors by the wind-and-react approach. High-T{sub c} magnets were then assembled by stacking the pancake coils and connecting them in series. The magnets were tested as a function of applied magnetic fields at 4.2, 27, 64, and 77 K. A magnet containing 480 m of high-{Tc} tape generated a record-high field of 2.6 T at 4.2 K. Another magnet assembled with {approx}770 m of tape generated a field of {approx}1 T at 4.2 K and {approx}0.6 T at 27 K, both in an applied background field of {approx}20 T. Strain tolerance of high-{Tc} tapes was evaluated by measuring J{sub c} retention as a function of applied strain in an 0.5 T applied field at 77 K

Advances in fabrication of mono- and multifilament Ag-CLAD BSCCO superconductors

Fabricating long lengths of robust and high-quality conductors is imperative for various applications of high-{Tc} superconductors. Long lengths of mono- and multifilament Ag-clad Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-0 conductors have been fabricated by the powder-in-tube technique. High values for critical current density (J{sub c}) have been achieved in both short- and long-length conductors. J{sub c} values up to 12,000 A/cm{sup 2} have been achieved in an 850-m-long multifilament conductor. Pancake-shaped coils and test magnets fabricated from long-length conductors were characterized at various temperatures and applied magnetic fields. A magnet containing 770 m of high-{Tc} conductor generated a record high field of {approx} 1 T at 4.2 K in a background field of {approx} 20 T. In-situ tensile and bending characteristics of both mono- and multifilament conductors have also been studied. Multifilament conductors exhibited better axial strain tolerance ({var_epsilon} {approx} 1%) than that of monofilament conductor ({var_epsilon} {approx} 0.2%), while retaining 90% of their initial critical current. An analysis of the results is presented, along with effects of parameters such as thickness, superconductor/Ag ratio, and microstructural details