Saturday, 3F-13, 10:45-10:55

Electromechanical Properties of Coated Conductors and Splices

Danko van der Laan

National Institute of Standards and Technology, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305
Tel: 303-497-4702, fax: 303-497-7364, danko@boulder.nist.gov

An overview of the current status on electromechanical properties of coated conductors is presented. Their mechanical strength has far exceeded that of any other high-temperature superconducting tape or wire. Especially their high level of elasticity could be very beneficial for high-field applications, but so far hasn’t been fully exploited. Although mechanically coated conductors have come a far way, a full characterization of their performance under strain is not yet available. Especially the dependence of the critical current on strain, temperature, magnetic field, and field angle should be studied in detail. Such characterization is needed for a reliable operation of coated conductors in applications. Although coated conductors are being produced in relatively long lengths, coated conductor splices will always be a part of some superconducting devices, whether splices are needed to obtain the required conductor length, or when they are part of repairs that have to be performed in the field. So far, the electromechanical properties of symmetric splices have been studied, where the YBCO layers of both spliced conductors are facing each other. Other configurations that need to be tested will be discussed briefly, such as asymmetric splices, splices between coated conductors and normal metals, and splices between striated conductors. Based on the test results, proper procedures for splicing, or even standards, should become available.

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