A Method of Improving non-Cu Jc via a Low-Cost Cu5Sn4 PIT Nb3Sn Conductor for HEP Applications

Conducting physics experiments with higher energy collisions will require greater energy and luminosity. More luminosity means larger apertures and bigger magnets. Therefore, the high-field magnets needed for these applications will require higher-performance, low-cost Nb3Sn superconductors. The cost-performance of state-of-the-art commercial Nb3Sn strand is $3/kA-m to $5/kA-m. By improving the critical current density and by developing lower cost processing, the cost-performance could be improved to less than $1.50/kA-m. Therefore, this project will develop and demonstrate a Nb3Sn wire with substantially higher critical current density. In Phase I, second element additions to the Cu5Sn4 powder-in-tube (PIT) core will be developed to significantly enhance flux pinning properties. Then, the low-cost Cu5Sn4 intermetallic powder with second element additions will be introduced into copper clad Nb alloy tubes. The new low-cost PIT mono-elements will be processed and assembled into multifilament billets, which will by drawn to final wire diameter. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The improved cost-performance for this new PIT Nb3Sn conductor should have an immediate benefit for high field magnets in HEP applications. Another important application for Nb3Sn superconductors are fusion reactors ¿ 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 have application to superconductors used in NMR, which is on the verge of technological explosion with requirements for uses in chemical research, biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, polymer science, petroleum research, agricultural chemistry and medicine.