Zirconia-stabilized multi-filamentary niobium-tin superconducting wire
US7325293B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 2006 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49014
Abstract
A multi-filament superconducting wire in which the filaments comprise zirconia-stabilized ultra-fine grain Nb3Sn. The superconducting wire is formed by wire-drawing a preform comprising a metallic matrix and at least one niobium alloy rod having zirconium and oxygen in solid solution and heat treating the drawn wire in the presence of tin to yield at least one continuous filament comprising ultra-fine grain Nb3Sn having semi-coherent ZrO2 precipitates disposed therein. The ZrO2 precipitates serve to stabilize the ultra-fine grain microstructure of the Nb3Sn at temperatures up to 1100° C. and allows Nb3Sn to maintain the ultra-fine grain microstructure when heat treated at temperatures that are greater than those previously used. By using higher temperatures to form Nb3Sn, the time required for heat treatment can be significantly reduced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.