Critical current of superconducting Rutherford cable in high magnetic fields with transverse pressure

Abstract

For high energy physics applications superconducting cables are subjected to large stresses and high magnetic fields during service. It is essential to know how these cables perform in these operating conditions. A loading fixture capable of applying loads of up to 700 kN has been developed by NHMFL for LBNL. This fixture permits uniform loading of straight cables over a 122 mm length in a split-pair solenoid in fields up to 12 T at 4.2 K. The first results from this system for Rutherford cables of internal-tin and modified jelly roll strand of Nb{sub 3}Sn produced by IGC and TWC showed that little permanent degradation occurs up to 210 MPa. However, the cable made from internal-tin strand showed a 40% reduction in K{sub c} at 11T and 210 MPa while a dable made from modified jelly roll material showed only a 15% reduction in I{sub c} at 11T and 185 MPa.