Study on the unidirectional compaction of terminal cables in the CICC joint

The void volume fraction of cables is one of the effective parameters to characterize the joints of superconducting magnet. Because electrical resistance and cooling stability in the CICC (Cable-in-Conduit Conductors) joint are governed by the void volume fraction, it should be controlled constantly in the termination of cable. The change of cross-section shape in the cable was fecund during the unidirectional compaction of terminal sleeve. The non-uniform thickness of the sleeve after compaction is expected because the loading is not taxi-symmetric, and the plastic flow is also not axi-symmetric. The CICC was compacted from 45% void volume fraction to 15% by using two-piece compaction jig, which could be pressed mini-directionally. Commercial code, ABAQUS, was used to analyze the plastic flow in the sleeve during the unidirectional compaction. The increment of radius of curvature of compaction jig could minimize the change of the deformed shape of cables. The calculated results were agreed with the experimental observations.