NB based superconductor composites

The technology for the manufacture of composite superconductor material is well established. In this paper, the relative manufacturing merits of several different composite approaches, including filled billet, powder, in-situ casting, and rolled sheet methods are addressed. Each method has common goals: (1) fine filaments with 1 micron to 10 micron dimensions; (2) continuous filaments; (3) cryogenic stabilization capability; (4) electrical stabilization capability; (5) long lengths, 2000 meters or more; (6) strain tolerance (for A-15 conductors); (7) design versatility; (8) diffusion barriers for A-15 conductors; (9) economy. Most methods are able to meet several of the desired characteristics, but fall short in several other characteristics. One method, a modification of the rolled sheet method, has been shown to meet all the required characteristics