Innovative Organic and Inorganic High-Pressure Laminate Insulation for Fusion and Superconducting Magnets

65493 Future high field (15T+) dipole magnets will require higher performance superconductors, and long lengths will be needed to reduce the cost of these conductors. The A15-type conductors are the most likely superconductors to fulfill this need, but it is very difficult to process the wire without breaks, especially when billet sizes are increased to produce 5-25 km lengths. This processing difficulty is related to the hardness of the multifilamentary composite and the bonding of the filaments. This project will investigate an ultrasonic processing technique to reduce drawing forces and increase bonding between the filaments. Phase I will demonstrate the ultrasonic wire drawing of A15-type superconductors. The benefit of reducing drawing forces and increasing the bonding between filaments of the multifilamentary composite wires will be documented. Both Nb3Sn and Nb3Al wires will be evaluated. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by awardee: Although the largest market should be for accelerator and fusion magnets, high field magnets (above 5 tesla) should also have applicability for MRI, NMR, high gradient magnetic separators, and SMES applications.