Development of a New High-Field NbTi Superconductor with Mechanically Introduced Ta Inclusions

40733 November 12, 1996 Supercon, Inc. Currently, niobium-titanium alloy is the most important technical superconductor used for various applications. This project will develop a new niobium-titanium alloy-based high-field superconductor with finely dispersed tantalum inclusions. It is expected to have better high field performance at superfluid helium temperatures in comparison with conventional niobium-titanium alloy superconductors. Multiple intermediate heat treatments similar to those for Nb47Ti superconducting wires will be employed during wire processing to promote a-Ti precipitates. In addition to these ribbon-shaped a-Ti precipitates, the co-processed Ta inclusions will also act as flux pinning centers to support supercurrents in the superconductor. It is expected that the high-field Jc of this new superconductor will be enhanced when compared to that of a conventional Nb47Ti superconductor because additional flux pinning centers are available, and the overall composition is similar to those of ternary NbTiTa alloy superconductors with high upper critical magnetic fields (BC2). Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee: The new NbTi alloy-based superconductor should have higher Jc in high magnetic fields at both 4.2 K and 2 K when compared to conventional Nb47Ti and NbTiTa alloy superconductors. The target application for this wire is high-field superconducting magnets for use in high energy particle accelerators such as the high gradient quadrupole magnets used in the interaction regions of Fermilab accelerator and LHC at CERN, as well as in fusion and NMR.