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

High energy physics research is moving toward higher energy collisions, which will require greater energy and luminosity. In turn, more luminosity means larger apertures and bigger magnets, and the development of high field magnets will require higher performance, low-cost Nb3Sn Superconductors. However, the lack of a large-scale extrusion process for Nb3Sn superconducting wire is a major factor that determines its high cost. The introduction of a large-scale extrusion process with powder-in-tube (PIT) Nb3Sn wire would improve the cost-performance to less than $1.50/kA-m. Therefore, this project will develop and demonstrate an extrudable low-cost PIT Nb3Sn process. In Phase I, a new high-melting, intermetallic tin compound will be fabricated and introduced into copper-clad Nb-7.5Ta tubes. The new, low-cost PIT mono-elements will be processed and assembled into multifilament 2 inch diameter billets. The billets will be hot-extruded followed by drawing to final wire diameter. A successful demonstration of the process will provide quidance for scale-up work up to 8" diameter multifilament billets in Phase II. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by the Applicant: The improved cost-performance for the new PIT Nb3Sn conductor should have an immediate benefit for high field magnets in high-energy-physics (HEP) applications. Fusion reactors would be another important application for Nb3Sn superconductors: the successful demonstration of a prototype fusion machine, based on a cost-effective Nb3Sn conductor, would have enormous economic and social benefits to the public. Finally, the technology should be applicable to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) ¿ which is on the verge of technological explosion ¿ with requirements for use in chemical research, biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, polymer science, petroleum research, agricultural chemistry, and medicine