Reports on some superconducting materials companies in the United States. Metallurgy, fabrication, and applications

The superconducting materials programs at four companies, Airco Inc., Intermagnetic General Corporation, Supercon Inc., and Teledyne Wah Chang are reviewed. Airco was the first company in North America to introduce fine filament multifilamentary NbTi wires, and continues to make wires, supply braids, cables, and monoliths, and develop techniques for wrapping, cladding, soldering, cleaning, and welding of conductors. Intermagnetic General Corporation is active in the development of both ductile alloys (NbTi) and A15 (Nb3Sn) compound superconductors. Supercon has a state-of-the-art production of NbTi alloy, but otherwise does not RandD ductile alloys, as current commercial alloys are entirely satisfactory. Finally, Teledyne Wah Chang Co. is the free world's primary supplier of superconducting materials niobium and niobium/titanium