Editors: | F. Kongoli, E. Aifantis, A. Chan, D. Gawin, N. Khalil, L. Laloui, M. Pastor, F. Pesavento, L. Sanavia |
Publisher: | Flogen Star OUTREACH |
Publication Year: | 2019 |
Pages: | 190 pages |
ISBN: | 978-1-989820-06-3 |
ISSN: | 2291-1227 (Metals and Materials Processing in a Clean Environment Series) |
Superconductivity is currently exploited in several technological applications, from small-scale electronic devices to large-scale particle accelerators and fusion reactors. High field magnet technologies are still based on the use of low temperature superconducting (LTS) materials, either NbTi or Nb3Sn. Nb3Sn cables are brittle and strain sensitive [1]-[3], but they perform better than NbTi ones. Actual challenges given by nuclear fusion and high-energy physics require more and more performing materials, capable to transport high current densities at high temperature and at very high magnetic fields [4]. High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) materials are nowadays considered as possible candidates for such demanding conditions. These materials are thus named because they exhibit superconducting behavior at much higher temperatures than NbTi and Nb3Sn. Among the various HTS concepts, the coated conductors, also referred to as rare-earth-barium-copper-oxide (Rare-Earth1Ba2Cu3O7-x) or REBCO tapes, are promising competitors. The coated conductor tapes have exhibited high current carrying capability under high magnetic field and good mechanical properties that meet the specific requirements in the superconducting motors and coils [5] – [7]. HTS magnets, however, are a new technology. If the LTS technology is well established, a robust R&D is needed to explore the possible use of high-temperature superconductors in high field magnets, as the superconductors performances are not only influenced by the magnetic field and the operating temperature, but also by the mechanical strain [8]–[9]. As a consequence, the development of these new generations of conductors requires extensive investigation about the impact of the main characteristics of the cable architecture on the electrical performances of a single superconducting tape. In particular, for a proper conductor design, it is important to fully characterize the single tape in its working conditions. In this work, a coupled thermo-electro-mechanical model is developed, suitable to analyze the behavior of HTS tapes and predict their performances inside the coil. The drop of electrical performances at the yield strength of the tapes under different loading conditions is evaluated. The multiphysics model is going to be validated against experimental measurements of the critical current now being performed on REBCO tapes by SuNAM Co., immersed in liquid nitrogen.