Characterization of the thermo-mechanical behavior of insulated cable stacks representative of accelerator magnet coils

A key issue in the design and fabrication of superconducting accelerator ma gnets is the detailed knowledge of the thermo-mechanical properties of thei r components. Measurements have been performed on straight stacks of Ruther ford-type cables representative of magnet coils. The investigated samples: are made up of NbTi and Nb3Sn cables, insulated with quartz-fiber tapes and vacuum-impregnated with epoxy resin. The characterization includes compres sive behavior studies at room and liquid helium temperatures, as well as me asurements of thermal shrinkage coefficients. After a detailed description of the experimental procedures, tables of practical numbers that can be use d by magnet designers are presented.