High strength, high conductivity macro- and microcomposite winding wires for pulsed magnets

Abstract Two promising types of Cu/SS macrocomposite and Cu–Nb microcomposite winding wires for large-scaled high-field pulsed magnets are reviewed. The features of corresponding manufacturing processes for Cu/SS and Cu–Nb wires are presented. It was shown that the manufacturing process designed for the fabrication of composite multifilamentary low-temperature superconducting wires could be successfully applied for the production of high strength, high conductivity Cu–Nb microcomposite conductors. The strength–conductivity properties of several types of Cu–Nb and Cu/SS conductors are given. The microstructure of Cu–Nb microcomposite conductors has been investigated by means of SEM and X-ray analysis. The influence of microstructural parameters on the mechanical and electrical properties has been analyzed. The room temperature (RT) ultimate tensile strength (UTS) at the level of 900–1100 MPa and conductivity 50–60% IACS for Cu/SS conductors with cross-sections up to 40 mm 2 have been attained. The strength–conductivity properties of several types of Cu–Nb microcomposite wires with continuous and “in situ” formed discrete filaments are presented. For Cu–Nb “in situ” wires with 6 mm 2 cross section the RT UTS exceeding 1400 MPa and conductivity ∼60% IACS have been attained.