Review of multifilamentary superconducting composites

The development of practical multifilamentary NbTi and Nb3Sn superconductors for high-field magnets from 1961 to the present is described with illustrations. The manner in which the composite technology has developed to meet the changing performance requirements is outlined. In addition to having high critical temperatures, fields, and current densities, the conductors must be manufactured in long lengths, as monoliths, braids, or cables of twisted and insulated composites. These contain many fine filaments shunted by normal metal and, in certain cases, separated from one another by materials which impart a high transverse resistivity. Materials with higher values of T/sub c/ and H/sub c2/ than those that are commercially available are also mentioned, together with the methods that have been used in their preparation. These materials are potential candidates for development into the improved practical conductors of the future. 15 figs., 60 references