Influence of Indentation on the Critical Current of Nb3Sn Strands

Abstract

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) is procuring Central Solenoid (CS) conductorsfor all modules forITER. The superconducting properties of the Nb3Sn CS conductors will have to sustain 60,000 electromagnetic (EM) cycles. The current sharing temperatures (Tcs) were stable with EM cycles in short twist pitch conductors.However, the short twist pitch and tight cabling increases indented strands at the contact point between strands before heat treatment. The results of Ic measurement on artificially indented Nb3Sn strands indicate that Ic was almost constant within a critical depth of the indentations.