Improved transport properties and connectivity of in situ MgB2 wires obtained by Cold High Pressure Densification (CHPD)

The critical current density, Jc, of in situ MgB2 wires with C4H6O5 (malic acid) has been strongly enhanced by means of Cold High Pressure Densification (CHPD) at pressures up to 2.5 GPa prior to reaction. An increase in Jc by factors 2 and 8 was observed at 4.2 and 20 K, regardless of the applied field. Densified wires were found to exhibit a higher homogeneity due to enhanced connectivity. In addition, a higher C content was found, as shown by the lattice parameter change, the decrease of Tc, the shift of the calorimetric Tc distribution and a reduced anisotropy in tapes obtained from the same wires. The higher C content in densified wires is responsible for the observed enhancement of Birr by more than 1 T, up to 11 T at 20 K. Almost isotropic Jc values were obtained for C4H6O5 added square wires of 1 × 0.6 mm2 cross section, the values of Jc(4.2 K) = 1 × 104 A/cm2 for fields // and ⊥ to the wider surface being obtained at 13.8 and 13.1 T (1 μV/cm criterion), the values for 20 K being 6.4 and 6.2 T, respectively. The method was successfully applied to mono- and multifilamentary wires with lengths up to several meters, suggesting applicability for industrial lengths.