MgB2 Round Multifilament Wire

High Energy Physics requies the development of superconducting wire for use in magnets generating fields >15T. Superconductors made from MgB2 have the potential to provide the necessary performance, but current conductors cannot meet the requirements for high field applications, due to low fill factor and low filament count. This problem will be addressed by developing a method for making round multifilament wire via hot extrusion. Extrusion, a low cost method for making superconducting wire, is a capability that is readily avalable in the superconducting community. In Phase I, extrusion parameters will be developed and approaches for billet design will be established, with the goal of making a high fill multifilament wire. Composite rods will be produced using several geometries and materials combinations. Extruded monofilament rods will be cold-drawn to establish workability and develop drawing schedules. A 37/36-filament, wire prototype conductor will be fabricated, and an attempt will be made to produce a wire having a 61/60 filament pattern. Phase II will focus on increasing the fill factor and filament count beyond that demonstrated in Phase I. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by the Applicant: A high performance, practical MgB2 superconductor should be useful for acclerator magnets for high energy physics and magnetic confinement fusion systems. MgB2 could also find application in cryocooled MRI systems.