Mg0.9Zr0.1B2/Cu wires were successfully synthesized by SHS method in the air

Mg0.9Zr0.1B2/Cu wires were successfully synthesized by powder-in-tube (PIT) techniques with self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) method. We loaded the mixed of Mg, Zr and B power into Cu tube. The tube was drawn to a wire and each end of the tube was sealed by the sealant, then rolled into solenoid with 1.5 cm diameter. The wire was heated up to 270 deg. C in a furnace with general air pressure, then, ignited the wire with electric arc from one of the end, the self-propagating reaction was completed in 2.0-2.5 s. Finally, the prepared wire was followed by furnace cooling to room temperature. The sample was examined using XRD, SEM, and magnetization measurements. The experiments show that there are small MgCu2 and boron-rich phases inner sheath wall of copper tube. The magnesium oxide is small in the sample. So, PIT technologies with SHS method is effective in stopping the volatile and oxidize of magnesium. The Jc results show that Mg0.9Zr0.1B2/Cu wires samples which were synthesized by SHS method are better than those sintered for 1 h and Cu clad pure MgB2 wire. The highest Jc of the prepared Mg0.9Zr0.1B2/Cu wire by SHS method in the air is 5.1 x 105 A/cm2 (5 K, 0.5 T), 1.4 x 105 A/cm2 (20 K, 1 T) and 4.3 x 104 A/cm2 (30 K, 0.5 T)