Numerical Studies of Thermally Induced Residual Strain/Stress in Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O x /Ag/Ag Alloy Composite Tapes and the Dependence of Material Properties on the Temperature

Thermally induced residual strain/stress in Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O _x (Bi2223)/Ag/Ag alloy composite tapes and the dependence of material properties on the temperature have been studied numerically. Based on both the straight and bending 3D tape models, and with the temperature dependence on material properties (especially the coefficient of thermal expansion) among the constituents (Bi2223, Ag and Ag alloy sheath) of Bi2223 multifilament composite tapes, the residual strain accumulation and the distribution of the residual stress have been obtained. We found that by taking account of the temperature dependence on material properties of Bi2223 composite tapes the residual strain in the current transportation direction is up to 15 % larger than that without taking temperature dependence into account. Furthermore, by considering the distribution of the stress induced from the changing temperature, we analyzed the mechanical strength of Bi2223 composite tapes and concluded that the initial mechanical failure due to large temperature circle (intrinsically induced from the mismatch of the coefficient of thermal expansion of each constituent in composite tapes) comes from the following aspects: (i) the tensile fracture in the Bi2223 filaments occurring at the center of the tape and (ii) the delamination most likely arising at the interface between the Bi2223 filaments and Ag matrix near both edges of the cross-section of the tape, which originates at the Bi2223 side of the interface.     

The Jc Limit of Multifilamentary Ag/Bi-2223 Tapes

To improve on present critical current (J _c) performance, multifilamentary Ag/Bi-2223 tapes with a large range of reduction rates were manufactured. The relative core mass density D was calculated, dependent on the measured geometric dimensions of the tapes. Experimental results, D vs. J _c, D vs. maximum pinning force density F _max , and D vs. irreversible magnetic field B _irr, are quantitatively formatted. In particular, the magnetic field dependence of J _c is critically dependent on its core density. If the core density increases by 10%, J _c of the tapes in this experiment is enhanced by as much as 100%. Therefore, in the present state of the technological process for manufacturing Ag/Bi-2223 tape, increasing the core density is clearly a significant strategy in improving the electronic and magnetic properties of the tapes and enhancing the capacity for carrying current at high magnetic fields. The limit of the bulk self-field-J _c can be calculated by the relationships of J _c vs. D. The limit is estimated to be on the order of 200 kA/cm² for multifilamentary Bi-2223 tapes, which was supported by magneto-optical (MO) magnetization measurements results. It is a hard task to approach this limit with the present state of the art in manufacturing Ag/Bi-2223 tape, and it is the time to suggest some new ideals for Bi-2223 tapes to promote large-scale applications.     

The J c Limit of Multifilamentary Ag/Bi-2223 Tapes

To improve on present critical current (J _c) performance, multifilamentary Ag/Bi-2223 tapes with a large range of reduction rates were manufactured. The relative core mass density D was calculated, dependent on the measured geometric dimensions of the tapes. Experimental results, D vs. J _c, D vs. maximum pinning force density F _max , and D vs. irreversible magnetic field B _irr, are quantitatively formatted. In particular, the magnetic field dependence of J _c is critically dependent on its core density. If the core density increases by 10%, J _c of the tapes in this experiment is enhanced by as much as 100%. Therefore, in the present state of the technological process for manufacturing Ag/Bi-2223 tape, increasing the core density is clearly a significant strategy in improving the electronic and magnetic properties of the tapes and enhancing the capacity for carrying current at high magnetic fields. The limit of the bulk self-field-J _c can be calculated by the relationships of J _c vs. D. The limit is estimated to be on the order of 200 kA/cm² for multifilamentary Bi-2223 tapes, which was supported by magneto-optical (MO) magnetization measurements results. It is a hard task to approach this limit with the present state of the art in manufacturing Ag/Bi-2223 tape, and it is the time to suggest some new ideals for Bi-2223 tapes to promote large-scale applications.     

Development of Bi(2223) Multifilamentary Tapes with Low ac Losses

A significant reduction of ac losses in twisted Bi(2223) multifilamentary tapes with Ag sheaths has been achieved by using oxide (BaZrO₃ and SrZrO₃) barriers between filaments. These barriers have two important effects: they increase the transverse resistivity, which suppresses induced coupling currents, and they reduce filament bridging, which in pure Ag sheath tapes largely cancels the beneficial effect of filament twisting. The decoupling can be gauged by the frequency at which loss shows a maximum in a low-amplitude ac field applied perpendicular to the tape. So far, the frequency of the loss maximum, f _m, in Ag-sheathed tapes has been enhanced from 5 Hz (untwisted) to 82 Hz (11 mm in twist pitch length). Different ways to introduce oxide barriers in tapes with 19–95 filaments are presented. The critical current density in the filaments varied between 10,000 and 20,000 A/cm². Ac loss measurements as well as the electrical and mechanical characterization are discussed in detail. The variation of the critical current density with bending strain is shown to be similar to that of tapes without barriers.     

Fabrication and Properties of Ag–Ni Bimetallic Sheathed (Bi,Pb)-2223 Tapes

10-meter-long Ag?CNi bimetallic sheathed (Bi,Pb)-2223 tapes with outer nickel sheath and inner silver sheath have been successfully fabricated by the ??Powder in tube?? technique. Microstructure and phase evolution studies by means of SEM and XRD, as well as critical current density (J _c ) measurements have been performed. It is found that the nickel sheath and dwell time in the first sintering process have great influences on the texture evolution, phase transformation and J _c of the Bi-2223/Ag/Ni tapes. Mono-filament (Bi,Pb)-2223 tape with a J _c of 6656?A?cm^?2 and 61-filament tape with a J _c of 12420?A?cm^?2 are obtained. Although using composite bimetallic sheaths can reduce production costs and improve mechanical properties of the Bi-2223 tapes, the Bi-2223 content and J _c of Bi-2223/Ag/Ni tapes are relatively lower than that of traditional Bi-2223/Ag tapes. Meanwhile, due to higher Bi-2223 content and better alignment of Bi-2223 grains, tapes with 61-filament have higher J _c than mono-filament tapes.     

Conductor design with high-Tc superconducting Bi(Pb)—2223/Ag multifilamentary tapes

With high upper critical fields, high temperature superconductors (HTSC) have been recognised as candidate materials for coil and magnet applications. High field devices, at one time or another, when operated close to their rated limits are often faced with instability problems which normally are electrical, magnetic or mechanical in nature. The determination of stability parameters, therefore, is of interest to the conductor designer which very much assists in the processing aspect of long length production of wires and tapes. Due to the morphology of the superconductor most HTSC devices made with Bi(Pb)—2223 precursor exist in tape form. Here the determination of stability parameters (for flux-jump and cryogenic stability) for multifilamentary Bi(Pb)—2223/Ag tapes are presented. Processing parameters such as intermediate deformation and filling factors have been found to play a crucial role, not only on the critical current density of the tapes but on the stability aspect in conductor design as well.     

Phase and Texture Evolution of Ag/Ni Composite-Sheathed Bi-2223 Tapes with Different Thickness

The influence of green tape thickness on the Bi-2223 phase formation and texture evolution in Ag/Ni composite-sheathed tapes fabricated by the “powder-in-tube” technique has been studied. Microstructural observations by SEM as well as critical current density (J _c) measurements at 77 K, 0 T have been performed to analyze the performance of the tapes. The results show an important influence of the green tape thickness on the critical current depending on the content and texture of Bi-2223 phase. The J _c increases with decreasing thickness. Moreover, texture measured by omega scans shows that the texture of the Bi-2223 phase is significantly influenced by the thickness of the green tape after the first and final sintering processes. Alignment of Bi-2223 grains in the thin tapes is much better. Higher performance of Ag/Ni composite-sheathed Bi-2223 tapes can be obtained by controlling the thickness of the green tapes.     

Characterization of the Elastic Properties of Bi2223/Ag/Ag Alloy Composite Tapes by the Generalized Self-Consistent Approach

The characterization of the elastic properties of whole Bi2223/Ag/Ag alloy composite tapes is a very important issue, even when these properties of each constituent are known. In this paper, the generalized self-consistent approach is used for predicting the elastic properties of inner core (Bi2223 filaments combined with Ag matrix), and the mixture rule for those of the whole composite tape (the inner core sheathed with Ag alloy). Compared with the simple estimation of the mixture rule, the prediction of the generalized self-consistent approach is not only physically rational, but also is much more accurate. Further, the theoretical prediction agreed well with the measured data. Hopefully, the generalized self-consistent approach can be adopted to predict the elastic properties of other superconducting composite structures.     

弯曲应变对Bi2223/Ag带材临界电流的影响

本文主要研究了Bi223/Ag带材的弯曲应力-应变特征及弯曲疲劳对其在77K自场下临界电流的影响。分析临界电流Ic降低的原因是应变和热循环引起的超导陶瓷芯内部的微裂纹。实验研究发现当带材的弯曲应变超过0.3%以后,Ic显著降低;当带材受到多次弯曲时,前四次弯曲会使Ic急剧降低,然后Ic降低非常缓慢。因此,在实际应用过程中,应使Bi223/Ag带材的弯曲应变不超过0.3%,且在Bi223/Ag带材的生产和使用过程中,均应尽量减少其弯曲的次数。     

Functional characteristics of Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 + δ/ZrN composites

We present the results of investigation of the magnetic, transport, structural, and mechanical properties of composites obtained by introducing finely dispersed zirconium nitride into a matrix of a Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_{10 + δ} (Bi2223) high-temperature superconductor. It is established that the introduction of ZrN particles in the range of very small concentrations (0.1–0.3 wt %) leads to a significant (more than threefold) increase in the critical current density of Bi2223 and increases the density of the composite, while the microhardness of the superconducting phase remains unchanged.     

Experimental Investigations on the Critical Current of the Jointed Bi-2223/Ag HTS Tapes

This paper summarizes the experimental investigations on the critical current of two jointed Bi-2223/Ag superconducting tapes connected by Sn63Ag2Pb solder. Different lap lengths of contact surface were studied. The joint resistance was measured to be in the range of 0.059??0.76????, and the critical current of the jointed Bi-2223/Ag HTS tapes was measured with different charging rates using standard four-point-method in a zero-applied magnetic field applying 1 ??V/cm criterion. The experimental results showed that the longer the lap length was, the smaller the joint resistance was and the nearer the critical current approached that of Bi-2223/Ag superconducting short-sample. On the other hand, the critical current decreased with the increasing of the charging rate.     

Effect of magnetic field, thermal cycling and bending strain on critical current density of multifilamentary Bi-2223/Ag tape and fabrication of a pancake coil

Multifilamentary HTSC tapes are important for their applications in various electrical devices. Powder-in-tube technique with improved optimized synthesis parameters is regarded as one of the most promising ways to prepare long-length multifilamentary Bi-2223/Ag tapes. Nevertheless, usefulness of such tapes depends on their electrical and mechanical properties. Critical current density of a Bi-2223/Ag tape with 37 filaments has been studied at 77 K with field, field orientation, thermal cycling and bending strain as parameters. Results have been discussed in light of various mechanisms and models. A small pancake coil has been fabricated out of the same tape and the test results presented.     

Development of Bi-2223 HTS tape and its application to coil and current leads

We are developing Bi-2223/Ag tapes with a high engineering critical current density by optimizing the powder-in-tube process and are studying its application to coil and current leads. We have fabricated 250 m-long tape and investigated optimized processing conditions to enhance engineering critical current density. More bubbling was found when the tape was heat-treated with a higher heating rate. Different kinds of superconducting joints were fabricated with multi-filamentary Bi-2223/Ag tapes, and 58% of retained I_c was achieved using the insertion of Bi-2223 core between two exposed tapes. Current decay property of the persistent mode HTS coil was investigated. Rapid current decay was observed when the operating current is in a flux-flow range. We could successfully fabricate a low heat leak type HTS current lead with Bi-2223/Ag–Au tapes by employing a stepped geometry. Using this lead, safe operation of 2 kA current transport was confirmed.     

Influence of filament thickness, thermal process and magnetic field on misalignment angles in multifilament Bi2212 tapes

Misalignment angles in multifilament Bi2212 tapes have been studied by transport current density (J_c) measurements. Transversal misalignment angles depend on the filaments thickness due to the crystal growth along the Bi2212/silver interface. Therefore, the thinner the filaments, the higher the J_c.A dynamic thermal treatment improves grain alignment inside the tapes due to preferential crystal growth along the thermal gradient direction. Furthermore, melting in high magnetic field reduces the misalignment angle due to magnetic anisotropy effects. Therefore, good transport J_c performances can be expected for thicker multifilament Bi2212 tapes prepared using a combination of the dynamic process and melting in a high magnetic field.     

Study for AC Loss Reduction in Bi2223 Tapes by Introducing Oxide Barriers

This paper presents our recent activities for the development of low-loss Bi2223 tapes with interfilamentary oxide barriers. In order to suppress the side effect on Bi2223 phase formation during sintering process, SrZrO₃ was selected as barrier materials. Moreover, small amount of Bi2212 was mixed with SrZrO₃ to improve their ductility for cold working. By controlling coating thickness of oxide barriers before stacking, reducing a tape width below 3 mm and careful twisting of the filaments with its length below 5 mm, coupling frequency f _c exceeded 250 Hz even in an AC perpendicular magnetic field. Critical current densities J _c of tightly twisted barrier tapes were ranged in 12?C14 kA/cm² at 77 K and self-field, which was 25% lower than the nontwisted one (=18 kA/cm²). To our knowledge, this is the first result to achieve both J _c>12 kA/cm² and f _c>250 Hz simultaneously for Bi2223 tapes in an isolated state. These twisted barrier tapes showed 60?C70% lower perpendicular field losses than a conventional 4 mm-width tape with fully coupled filaments at 50 mT and 50 Hz.     

Preparation and critical current density of hot pressed Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox/Ag tapes

Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox(Bi-2223)/Ag tapes have been prepared by hot pressing performed at 800–840 °C for 12–96 h under 6 or 12 MPa in air. The highest transport critical current density, Jc, is 3900 A cm–2 at 77 K and 8800 A cm–2 at 65 K under zero magnetic field, which is observed in tape hot pressed at 820 °C under 12 MPa for 24 h twice. The tape has undergone a cold pressing under 260 MPa between hot pressings. Jc is limited to 120 A cm–2 in tape hot pressed for 48 h continuously, in spite of total hot pressing time, temperature and pressure all being the same as for tape hot pressed for 24 h twice. It is found that alternate hot pressing and cold pressing is effective in the preparation of Bi-2223 tapes with high Jc, which is determined by the strength of grain coupling. Grain coupling is strengthened in tape hot pressed with an intermediate cold pressing. © 1998 Chapman & Hall     

The influence of electroplastic rolling on the mechanical deformation and phase evolution of Bi-2223/Ag tapes

Electroplastic rolling (EPR) of Bi-2223/Ag superconducting wires was performed, where pulse currents were applied during rolling to introduce an electroplastic effect. It was found that the rolling force decreased significantly compared with the traditional rolling process. Furthermore, EPR favorably minimized the sausage effect. It is revealed that the electroplastic effect can facilitate the mechanical deformation of Bi-2223/Ag composites. Segments of the Bi-2223/Ag tapes were heat treated at 830 °C for different time periods. The phase assemblies of these samples suggest that current pulses contribute to faster transformation kinetics from the Bi-2212 phase to the Bi-2223 phase. In addition, a preliminary improvement of 28% of critical current density has been achieved in a fully processed tape with EPR.     

Transport Ic measurement technique with non-soldered contacts for Ag-sheathed high Tc superconductors

A transport current measurement technique suitable for the technological development of hightemperature superconducting tapes has been designed. The main advantage of the technique presented is in the application of non-soldered current and voltage contacts which allows measurement of the same element of superconducting tape at different technological states (roll-sinter or press-sinter step). Voltage-current characteristics can be measured in self field as well as in external magnetic field at 77 K or 4.2 K and at different field orientations. The technique capabilities are demonstrated by presenting I_c data obtained from Bi(2223)/Ag tape.     

Thermal stability in high-Tc coil and magnet design by process control of Bi(Pb)-2223/Ag multifilamentary tapes

It has been found that the degree of thermal stability of Bi(Pb)-2223/Ag pancake-shaped coils at 77 K can be determined by controlling the amount of matrix and superconducting materials during processing. The intermediate deformation step between sintering stages has been found to be crucial in optimizing the performance of the processed composite tapes as well as governing the thermal stability of the subsequently made pancake-shaped coils. Results obtained from numerical analysis of the finite element method has shown that monolayer coils produced from Bi(Pb)-2223/Ag composite tapes are thermally very stable with high values of the fill factor. However, increasing the number of co-wound tapes would require either a reduction in the fill factor or an increase in cooling rate for thermal stability to be sustained as would otherwise be achieved with the metallurgically same single tape.     

Magnetic field hysteresis of critical currents in Bi(2223)/Ag tapes and a way to overcome it

Experiments showing hysteresis of critical currents versus the external magnetic field I_c(B_e) were performed with two multifilamentary Bi(2223)/Ag tapes. The I_c(B_e) hysteresis is observable in the transversal as well as in the longitudinal orientation of the long axis of the tape with respect to the magnetic field. Based on the idea that the hysteresis is the effect of trapped flux in a network of well-connected current paths, a way to overcome this effect has been proposed and experimentally verified. The induced frozen-in screening currents are split into several parallel current patterns by cycling the external magnetic field around the adjusted value. Using the proposed method, the ‘neutral’ I_c(B_e) characteristics have been found. Approximate calculations of the penetration depth of the trapped flux show that the network of well-connected current paths could be formed by several disk-shaped grains (≈ Φ8 × 0.4 μ) stacked into more or less axially ordered (quasi cylindrical) colonies of average dimensions estimated to ≈ Φ8 × 4 μm.