• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.21-24
• /
• 2016

The mechanical properties of REBCO coated conductor (CC) wires under uniaxial tension are largely determined by the thick component layers in the architecture, namely, the substrate and the stabilizer or even the reinforcement layer. Depending on device applications of the CC tapes, it is necessary to reinforce thin metallic foils externally to one-side or both sides of the CC tapes. Due to the external reinforcement of brass foils, it was found that this could increase the reversible strain limit from the Cu-stabilized CC tapes. In this study, the effects of differently hardened brass foil laminate on the electromechanical property of CC tapes were investigated under uniaxial tension loading. The tensile strain dependence of the critical current ($I_c$) was measured at 77 K and self-field. Depending on whether the $I_c$ of CC tapes were measured during loading or after unloading, a reversible strain (or stress) limit could be determined, respectively. The both-sides of the Cu-stabilized CC tapes were laminated with brass foils with different hardness, namely 1/4H, 1H and EH. From the obtained results, it showed that the yield strength of the brass laminated CC tapes with EH brass foil laminate was comparable to the one of the Cu-stabilized CC tape due to its large yield strength even though its large volume fraction. It was found that the brass foil with different hardness was mainly sensitive on the stress dependence of $I_c$, but not on the strain sensitivity due to the residual strain induced in the laminated CC tapes during unloading.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.13-17
• /
• 2015

In superconducting coil applications particularly in wet wound coils, coated conductor (CC) tapes are subjected to different type of stresses. These include hoop stress acting along the length of the CC tape and the Lorentz force acting perpendicular to the CC tape's surface. Since the latter is commonly associated with delamination problem of multi-layered CC tapes, more understanding and attention on the delamination phenomena induced in the case of coil applications are needed. Difference on the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of each constituent layer of the CC tape, the bobbin, and the impregnating materials is the main causes of delamination in CC tapes when subjected to thermal cycling. The CC tape might also experience cyclic loading due to the energizing scheme (on - off) during operation. In the design of degradation-free superconducting coils, therefore, characterization of the delamination behaviors including mechanism and strength in REBCO CC tapes becomes critical. In this study, transverse tensile tests were conducted under different loading conditions using different size of upper anvils on the GdBCO CC tapes. The mechanical and electromechanical delamination strength behaviors of the CC tapes under transverse tensile loading were examined and a two-parameter Weibull distribution analysis was conducted in statistical aspects. As a result, the CC tape showed similar range of mechanical delamination strength regardless of cross-head speed adopted. On the other hand, cyclic loading might have affected the CC tape in both upper anvil sizes adopted.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.28-31
• /
• 2023

This study presents a comprehensive procedure for the low cycle fatigue test of ultrasonically welded (UW) coated conductor (CC) lap-joints. The entire process is examined in detail, from the robust fabrication of the UW REBCO CC joints to the reliability testing under a low number of repeated cycle fatigue conditions. A continuous I_c measurement system enables real-time monitoring of I_c variations throughout the fatigue tests. The study aims to provide a step-by-step procedure that involves joint fabrication, electromechanical property (EMP) tests under uniaxial tension for stress level determination, and subsequent low-cycle fatigue tests. The joints are fabricated using a hybrid method that combines UW with adding In-Sn soldering, achieving a flux-free hybrid welding approach (UW-HW flux-free). The selected conditions for the low cycle fatigue tests include a stress ratio of R=0.1 and a frequency of 0.02 Hz. The results reveal some insights into the fatigue behavior, irreversible changes, and cumulative damage in the CC joints.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.8-11
• /
• 2012

In order to recognize the allowable bending diameter in coils, the strain as function of diameters is evaluated. The irreversible strain limits of $I_c$ in the easy and hard bending modes were measured. Strains were calculated at the coating film in the easy bending and at outer edge or inner edge in the hard bending of the CC tape, respectively. The tape geometry subjected to bending procedures is considered from the current industrial spool winding operation. Through the linear superposition of strain induced in different bending modes regarding the expressions, the appropriate design for critical bending diameter is suggested. Results proved that the existence of buckling resulting from bending in hard direction when applied strain exceeded 0.6% is possible. The depicted results showed that the strain limit as a viable parameter should be considered for future purposes.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.24-28
• /
• 2013

In this study, the homogeneity of critical current, $I_c$, along the lengthwise direction in the coated conductor (CC) tape under uniaxial tension was investigated using a multiple voltage tap configuration. Initially, a gradual and homogeneous $I_c$ degradation occurred in all subsections of the tape up to a certain strain value. This was followed by an abrupt $I_c$ degradation in some subsections, which caused scattering in $I_c$ values along the length with increasing tension strain. The $I_c$ degradation behaviour was also explained through n-value as well as microstructure analyses. Subsections showed $I_c$ scattering corresponding to damaged areas of the CC tape revealed that transverse cracks were distributed throughout the gauge length. This homogeneous $I_c$ degradation behaviour under tension is similar with the case under torsion strain but different with the case under hard bending which were previously reported. This behaviour is also different with the case using Bi-2223 HTS tapes under tension strain.