Explosive welding of multifilamentary NbTi50-Cu composite superconductor

The explosive welding technique of multifilamentary superconductor, the mechanical and superconducting properties of joints are presented in this paper. Excellent metallurgical bonding is found both in Cu and in NbTi filaments of the joints. The joints have excellent bending property and high tensile strength (corresponding to 100% of the strength of the superconductor). The superconductive joints with the cross section of 3.6 x 1.8 mm2 have a critical current of 1801A (5T at 4.2K), corresponding to 90% of that of the superconductor at the same conditions. The electric resistance of the joints is 9.5 x 10-10 Ω 4.2K, 5.5T. The research results can be used for joining of long superconductors with large cross section as well as the current leads of the superconducting magnet