Design practice and operational experience of highly irradiated, high performance normal magnets

The fundamental limitations, design practice, and operating experience of high-stress and highly irradiated normal magnets are discussed. Magnet performance is limited by mechanical stresses, temperature limits, oxidation, and erosion. Electrical performance is limited by dielectric breakdown, flashover, and tracking. Degradation of mechanical and electrical properties of metals and insulators by electromagnetic and neutron irradiation is discussed. The failure mechanisms due to irradiation include increased conductor resistance, destruction of chemical bonds, electrolysis, and photoconductivity. The operating experience of high-performance magnets at magnet laboratories, accelerators, and fusion experimental facilities is discussed