Ultra-lightweight superconducting wire based on Mg, B, Ti and Al.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Superconductivity

Background:

• Magnesium diboride (MgB₂) is the lightest known superconducting material.
• Lightweight superconducting wires are crucial for applications where mass reduction is critical, such as in aerospace and wind energy.
• Pure aluminum is mechanically weak for use as a sheath in composite wires, hindering densification and structural integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel, lightweight MgB₂ superconducting wire.
• To improve the mechanical properties of the aluminum sheath for enhanced wire performance.
• To assess the electrical and mechanical properties of the developed wire for potential applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a single-core MgB₂ wire using the internal magnesium diffusion (IMD) method.
• Sheathing the MgB₂ core with a titanium (Ti) diffusion barrier and a novel aluminum composite (HITEMAL) stabilized by nano-sized γ-Al₂O₃ particles.
• Evaluation of critical current densities and mechanical stress tolerances at low temperatures.

Main Results:

• The developed MgB₂/Ti/HITEMAL wire exhibited high critical current densities.
• The wire demonstrated significant tolerance to mechanical stress, indicating good mechanical robustness.
• The novel aluminum composite sheath provided necessary structural support and prevented detrimental reactions.

Conclusions:

• The ultra-lightweight MgB₂ wire possesses excellent superconducting and mechanical properties.
• The use of HITEMAL as a sheath material overcomes the limitations of pure aluminum.
• This lightweight superconducting wire is a promising candidate for aviation, space, and offshore wind generator applications.