Cabling technology of NbSn conductor for ITER central solenoid

Takahashi, Yoshikazu; Nabara, Yoshihiro; Ozeki, Hidemasa; Hemmi, Tsutomu; Nunoya, Yoshihiko; Isono, Takaaki; Matsui, Kunihiro; Kawano, Katsumi; Oshikiri, Masayuki; Uno, Yasuhiro; et al.

IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 24(3), p.4802404_1 - 4802404_4, 2014/06

https://doi.org/10.1109/TASC.2013.2287311

Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) is procuring all amounts of NbSn conductors for Central Solenoid (CS) in the ITER project. Before start of mass-productions, the conductor should be tested to confirm superconducting performance in the SULTAN facility, Switzerland. The original design of cabling twist pitches is 45-85-145-250-450 mm, called normal twist pitch (NTP). The test results of the conductors with NTP was that current shearing temperature (Tcs) is decreasing due to electro-magnetic (EM) load cycles. On the other hand, the results of the conductors with short twist pitches (STP) of 25-45-80-150-450 mm show that the Tcs is stabilized during EM load cyclic tests. Because the conductors with STP have smaller void fraction, higher compaction ratio during cabling is required and possibility of damage on strands increases. The technology for the cables with STP was developed in Japanese cabling suppliers. The several key technologies will be described in this paper.