An Extrudable Low-Cost Nb3Sn PIT Conductor for Applications to HEP Magnets

An economical, hot, extrudable, powder-in-tube (PIT) Nb3Sn process is needed for use in magnets for future High Energy Physics (HEP) accelerator research. In this project, a new low-cost intermetallic powder will be developed and implemented with an advanced high performance powder-in-tube (PIT) Nb3Sn design for hot extrusion and drawing. In Phase I, a phase-pure intermetallic powder was developed and prototype Nb3Sn conductors were fabricated. In addition, hot extruded multifilament billets were prepared using the PIT approach. A cost-performance analysis suggested that the technology will meet DOE goals. Phase II will involve further optimization of the hot extrusion approach for multifilament Nb3Sn billets. The powder manufacturing approach will be used to fabricate advanced PIT designs on intermediate size billets. A prototype conductor will be scaled-up and assembled. The material produced will be made available for testing, and for building prototype cables and test magnets, at the DOE national laboratories. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The improved new PIT Nb3Sn conductor should have an immediate benefit for high field magnets in HEP applications. Fusion reactors represent another important application; the successful demonstration of a prototype fusion machine based on an advanced cost-effective Nb3Sn conductor would have enormous economic and social benefits. Finally, the technology should be applicable to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), which is on the verge of technological explosion with uses in chemical research, biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, polymer science, petroleum research, agricultural chemistry, and medicine.