Superconductor composite and method of making the same

A superconductor composite is described, comprising (a) a matrix body of material having substantial electrical resistivity at superconducting temperatures; (b) elongate tubular members of a metal superconducting at superconducting temperatures and workable by reduction to decrease its transverse area and elongate its length, the tubular members being parallel and spaced within the matrix and bonded to it to facilitate heat transfer; and (c) stabilizing cores within the tubular members and in thermal and electrical contact with them, the cores being of a workable aluminium or copper material having an electrical resistivity of not more than 10-7 ohm-cm at superconducting temperatures and sufficient to stabilize the superconductor at superconducting temperatures. The matrix is an aluminium alloy having an electrical resistivity of at least 10-7 ohm-cm and having a flow stress such that the flow stress ratio between the superconducting and matrix materials does not exceed 10. The elongate tubular members may consist of, or contain, the following metals or their alloys: Nb, Zr, Hf, V, Mo, Re, W, Ta, Ti. (U.K.)