SILVER ALLOYS FOR HIGH-TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTING WIRE

The silver cladding for high-temperature superconducting wire can be m odified for various applications by alloying. For example, for powder- in-tube wire, stiffer cladding improves the smoothness of the interfac e. For large coils, higher strength is needed at low temperatures to h old them together. Power applications require more resistance in the c ladding. We have made a survey of the properties of alloys to check th eir feasibility for various applications. Alloys with several elements added to silver have been prepared and evaluated for hardness, electr ical properties, and compatibility with high-temperature superconducto rs during processing.