Characterization of the thermo-mechanical behavior of insulated cable stacks representative of accelerator magnet coils

A key issue in the design and fabrication of superconducting accelerator magnets is the detailed knowledge of the thermo-mechanical properties of their components. Measurements have been performed on straight stacks of Rutherford-type cables representative of magnet coils. The investigated samples are made up of NbTi and Nb/sub 3/Sn cables, insulated with quartz-fiber tapes and vacuum-impregnated with epoxy resin. The characterization includes compressive behavior studies at room and liquid helium temperatures, as well as measurements of thermal shrinkage coefficients. After a detailed description of the experimental procedures, tables of practical numbers that can be used by magnet designers are presented.