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Interfacial Microstructures of Nb3Sn–NbTi Joints Fabricated via Resistive Welding

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Abstract

Nb3Sn and NbTi superconducting joints were fabricated successfully via resistive welding technology. After long periods of heat treatment, Nb3Sn joints with a Nb3Sn block that surrounded Nb3Sn wires were prepared. The Nb3Sn block was welded together with the NbTi wires to form a joint without intermediate layers between them. The shortest path to conduct the superconducting current contributed to improving joint performance and reducing joint resistance. We investigated microstructural changes in Nb3Sn–NbTi superconducting joints. This type of joint has two interfaces: the interface between the Nb3Sn wires and the Nb3Sn block and the interface between the Nb3Sn block and the NbTi wires. Both interfaces are essential for conducting the superconducting current. We can improve our understanding of the underlying mechanism in the current path by investigating the microstructures of these joints. Results showed that Nb3Sn was welded together with NbTi, and the joint exhibited excellent performance. The resistance of the joint was lower than 2 × 10−13 Ω under a background field of 1.25 T, which can meet most applications of Nb3Sn magnets.

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (Nos. 2022YFB3804004 and 2022YFF0706904) National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52307032).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China

    Wanshuo Sun, Junsheng Cheng, Lei Wang & Shunzhong Chen

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Wanshuo Sun & Shunzhong Chen

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  1. Wanshuo Sun
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  2. Junsheng Cheng
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  3. Lei Wang
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  4. Shunzhong Chen
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Contributions

Wanshuo Sun performed the experiment and contributed significantly to analysis and manuscript preparation. Lei Wang helped perform the analysis with discussions. Shunzhong Chen and Junsheng Cheng contributed to the conception of the study.

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Correspondence to Lei Wang or Shunzhong Chen.

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Sun, W., Cheng, J., Wang, L. et al. Interfacial Microstructures of Nb3Sn–NbTi Joints Fabricated via Resistive Welding. J Low Temp Phys 214, 68–82 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10909-023-03008-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10909-023-03008-7

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