Thermomechanical Processing of

High Tc Superconducting Wire

Super BSCCO Family

C. Bjelkengren
B. Cooper
Y. King
S. Maltas
Outline
 Background
 Materials
 Phenomenon
 Technology
 Project Layout and Time Line
 Characterization of BSCCO Tape
 Investigation of Thermomechanical Processes
 Improvement of Superconductivity
 Areas of Further Research
 Identification of Main Risks
 Prospects and Potential Prototypes

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Background - Materials
 High Tc Superconduction originates from crystal structure
 Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O8 BSCCO-2223

 Perovskite/Rocksalt derivatives with alternating

(0 0 n) planes

 Highly anisotropic (superconduction along Cu-O planes)

 High degree of texturing required to keep grains/Cu-O planes

aligned

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Background - Materials
 BSCCO-2212
Crystal Structure BSCCO-2223:
Quadruple Rocksalt
followed by Triple
Bi Perovskite

Sr Double Rocksalt
followed by
Ca Double Perovskite

Cu
O
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Background -
Phenomenon
 Covalent Cu-O bonding and Cu valence states leads to partly
3+

filled energy bands

 Oxidation to Cu3+ leaves a hole in the conduction band for p-

type conductivity

 Weak localization of valence electrons (low ionic character)

 Alkaline and rare earth metals act as charge reservoirs

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Background -
Phenomenon
 Cooper pairs at critical low T:

 Under an electric potential, electrons are paired by the

temporary polarization of a cation core

 Phonons couple, rather than scatter, electrons

 Zero resistance, perfect diamagnetism (Meissner effect)

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Background - Technology
HTS wire Ship Propulsion/Generation,
Industrial Motors, Condensers

http://www.amersuper.com/products

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Project Layout and Time
Line Eliminating Porosity and Cracking
 Improving the Superconductivity

 Week 1-3: Characterization of BSCCO Tape

 Week 4-8: Investigation of Thermomechanical Processes

 Week 9-14: Improving Superconductivity/Working on Prototype

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Project Layout and Time
Line
 Characterization of BSCCO Tape
 Preparation of Samples: long/short transverse, filet
 Light Microscopy: structural observations
 Differential Scanning Calorimetery: phasetransistion identification
 Critical Current Measurement: initial property characterization
 Scanning Electron Microscopy: qualitative microstructural
observations
 x-ray Analysis: quantitative texture observations (0-1)

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Project Layout and Time
Line
 Investigation of Thermomechanical Processes
 Cold Deformation: rolling, suspend under tension
 Heat Treatment: 150 – 800 oC
 Uniaxial Hot Deformation
 Hot Isotactic Pressing: ensure no phase transformation
 Directional Graingrowth: temperature gradient

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Project Layout and Time
Line
 Improving Superconductivity
 Defined Processing Sequence
 Determined Process Variables: T, t, P
 Goal: Jc of 200kA/cm2
 Measure of Success: Ic, SEM, x-ray

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Project Layout and Time 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Line
Literature Search & Reading

Update Webpage

Update Notebook
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Presentaitons                            
Budget Control                            
Meeting With Vander Sande                            
Obtain Materials                            
Document I: basic background                            
Characterize Microstructure                            
Document II: microstructure and phase                            
Cold Deformation                            
Heat Treatement                            
Uniaxial Hot Deformation                            
Hot Isotactic Pressing                            
Directional Graingrowth                            
Document III: thermomechanical processing                            
Ideas For Application/Prototype                            
Improve Superconductivity, Jc                            
Outside Facilities                            
Work On Final Product                            
Final Presentation                            
Poster                            
Areas of Further
Research
 Reading
 Journals
 Research Thermomechanical Processes
 Research Prototype Ideas
 Self-user training
 SEM: D. Bono, J. Adario
 x-ray: J. Adario
 Ic: D. Bono
 Locate Resource Facilities
 Vander Sande: manufacturing of BSCCO tape
 Hiping: American Superconductor

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Identification of Main
Risks
 Time Critical Step
 Defining Processing Sequence
 Determining Process Variables
 Measurement Errors
 Ic: maintain constant measuring conditions
 x-ray: separate readings of texture from BSCCO and Ag
 Contamination: the sample might contain sulfur resides from
manufacturing
 Prototype Development
 Does Postprocessing Affect Superconductivity: bending etc

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Prospects and Potential
Prototypes
 General Benefits
 More Current / Area
 Higher Efficiency
 Less Material
 Lower Mass
 Lower Production and Transportation Costs
 Specific Applications
 Electric Power Transmission Lines
 Transformers
 Electromagnets
 Motors
 Magnetic Levitation
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