Improvement of the mechanical properties of bulk superconductors with resin impregnation

Abstract

Large single-grain RE-Ba-Cu-O (RE: rare-earth elements) superconductors can trap large magnetic fields over several tesla, and thus can be used as quasi-permanent magnets, generating fields much higher than those of conventional permanent magnets. However, the maximum trapped field is essentially limited by the mechanical properties of bulk superconductors, since a large electromagnetic force acts on the bulks when they trap large fields. The stress produced by refrigeration also causes cracking.