SUPERCONDUCTIVE CABLE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A SUPERCONDUCTIVE CABLE

Abstract: A superconductive conductor or cable comprising a core (2), which comprises at least one string of a ceramic, superconductive material, and where the core (2) is encapsulated by a metal cap (1). In order to manufacture a conductor or a cable with an encapsulation, and in which it is possible as well during the manufacturing process as under the operation to maintain a controlled atmosphere around the superconductive core (2), at least one layer of not sintered, ceramic powder material (3) is provided between the cap (1) and the core (2), which material has a higher sintering temperature than the superconductive material in the core (2). The superconductive core (2) may be sintered for formation of the superconductive ceramics by placing in the tubular metal cap (1) a starting material in powder form, and shaped as a core in the other ceramic powder material and subsequently forging the metal cap (1) with its content, preferably by swaging at an ambient temperature, which is below the sintering temperature of the core (2).

Description: Superconductive cable and method of manufacturing a superconductive cable. : The present invention relates to a superconductive conductor or cable comprising a core, which comprises at least one string of a ceramic superconductive material, and where the core is encapsulated by a metallic cap. ' P-urthermore the invention relates to a method of manufacturing such a conductor or cable. Ceramic compounds of the type, which is often described by the formula Y-Ba-Cu-0, where the metals are present in oxidated form, have electric superconductive characteristics at a substantially higher temperature than the temperature known from conventional superconducting materials. Because of the relatively high marginal temperature of the superconductive characteristics this type of compounds has become more indtresting in a more general industrial context. The ceramic compounds form a whole group of materials, in which copper and oxygen seem to be the only obligatory materials, as they, in addition to or in stead of the metals yttrium and barium, may also comprise e.g. scandium, various lanthanides, calcium or strontium. Superconductors comprising other materials, e.g. bismuth and/or thallium are also known, as such materials may completely or partly replace the abovementioned metals. Furthermore, it is known that the superconductive characteristics may be improved in some cases, if fluorine replaces part of the oxygen. The use of the superconductive materials is restricted by the fact that the manufacture of these conductors in sufficient lengths and with a sufficiently homogeneous structure for the industrial application of the cables is difficult and costly. An essential problem in this connection is that in the manufacturing process a solid- reaction between suitable compounds, e.g. oxides, carbonates or oxalates must take place; that the reaction must take place under a controlled series of temperature, and that the composition of the surrounding atmosphere may be of considerable importance. In particular, a high partial pressure of oxygen can be necessary. Furthermore there is a considerable risk that the reaction product thus formed may be unstable and liable to split off e.g. oxygen. It may, therefore, be necessary to surround the superconductive core, also under later operation, by a controlled atmosphere_ - The object of the present invention is to provide a conductor or a cable with an encapsulation, and in which it is possible both during the manufacturing proces and during the later application to maintain a controlled atmosphere around the superconductive core. This object is achieved by means of a conductor or a cable of the abovementioned kind, the cable being characterized by the characterizing clause of claim 1. Due to the fact that the ceramic, superconductive core is surrounded by an only partially sintered chemical : material a flow of gas and diffusion in the pore volume, which exists in such material, can take place. On account of the higher sintering temperature of the surrounding material, it will remain porous also during various manufacturing processes, to which the cable will be subjected in the production process, and it is therefore ensured that the surrounding material will retain its permeability by gas. According to the invention it is preferable that the surrounding layer has a high temperature stability, and preferred embodiments of the invention heat- and cold resistant oxides can be mentioned, especially common kinds of soil preferably MgO, Al-O, or Zr0 2 . In order to be able to maintain a controlled atmosphere around the conductive core it is according to the invention preferable that the cable comprises elements for introducing a maintaining or regenerating gas, e.g. 0 2 in the non- sintered material. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing an electric superconductive conductor or cable, in which method one or more materials, which under specified circumstances can be made superconductive, are placed in the form of at least one continuous string in a 5 metallic, tubular, closed cap, which thereafter is subjected to a forging in the form of a deformation caused by swaging, hammering or explosion the cap during the reduction of the cross section surrounding the confined materials tightly. From Japanese Patent No. 6113663-A, dated 24-06-86, it 10 is; known in a continuous proces to convey a superconductive bundle; of thread.,, comprising an armouring thread, which is to be formed into cylindrical shape together with a metal band, which will be rolled around the bundle of thread in such a way that cavities are eliminated. Subsequent to the 15 seam welding of the metal band for the purpose of forming a tube, the cross section of the tube will be reduced by at least 80% by swaging and finally it will be rolled into square cross section. The superconductive threads are manufactured by use of heat treatment of a suitable 20 compound. The metal band is made of Cu or Al and the reinforcing threads are stainless steel, Mo or . The method according to the invention is characteristic by means of the subject matter of the characterizing clause of claim 5. 25. Due to the fact that the sintering temperature of the surrounding- material is higher than the reaction temperature of r the solid substance of the superconductive material it is ensured that around the superconductive core there will be a permeable layer, through which it is possible to introduce 30 the maintaining atmosphere around the core. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized by the subject matter of claim 6. Surprisingly it has proved that the necessary solid 5- substance reaction, which normally takes a protracted heating under high pressure and with a controlled composition of the surrounding atmosphere, may be attained through a forging of the cap, when the forging takes place with such an intensity that the powder is compressed sumultaneously with the reduction of the diameter of the tube. In practice the forging especially may preferably through swaging, i.e. in a reduction machine, and it has proved that the desired reaction sets in quickly and that a sintreing of the superconductor takes place in such a way that the desired characteristics are achieved even though several meters of tube is advanced per minute through the machine. According to the invention it is preferable that the tube is made from a hard and ductile metal, e.g. a corrosion resistant steel, which yields relatively high resistance to the forging. It is particularly important that the tube material does not show any tendency to absorb oxygen, which may be liberated from the superconductive material. Thus a method is provided, in which the previously so problem-filled sintering proces may be carried out in a fast and efficient way, the hitherto existing limitations on the length of the sintered strings being eliminated. In this connection it should be mentioned that from U.S. Patent No. 4 717 627 it is known to manufacture a fine¬ grained, superconductive or magnetic material by means of the following procedure: On a first layer of solid material a second layer of powder and a third layer of solid material are placed, and the assembly is placed in a sturdy container. Then a supersonic wave is transmitted through the first, the second, and the third layer in the sequence mentioned, so that the second layer is heated to a temperature exceeding the melting point of the material by means of a chockwave pressure which is higher than 50 kBar. The melted, compressed layer will rapidly cool by heat transmission to the other two layers. The invention will be described in detail by means of an embodiment and with reference to the drawing, which shows a section of a superconductive cable according to the invention. As shown in the drawing the superconductive conductor or cable according to the invention comprises an outer metallic cap 1, in which a core 2 of a superconductive ceramic material is placed. In an interspace between the core 2 and the cap 1 a diffusive ceramic material 3 is placed, which has a higher sintering temperature than the 5 ~ superconductive core 2. The diffusive material makes it possible before, under and/or after the sintering of the superconductive material, to optimize the surrounding atmosphere around the core, providing it with properties which act to preserve or regenerate the core. In most cases 101 the. problem is to control the contents of 0-, the superconductive core preferably consisting of a ceramic material in this category, which is often designated Y-Ba- Cu-0, but which comprises a great number of superconductive ceramic materials, which are becoming superconductive at 15 temperatures about and somewhat over the boiling point of liquid N. These materials may contain other elements than the above mentioned: Yttrium, barium, copper and oxygen. The cable may be provided with means for maintaining a predetermined atmosphere in the material 3, e.g. in the form i0 " . of welded stubs. The material 3 is a ceramic powder, which has a higher sintering temperature than the superconductive core 2. Preferably a temperature-resistant oxide of one of the most common soil sorts will be used, e.g. MgO, Al 2 0 3 or Zr0 2 . 5 In manufacturing the cable care must be taken that the cap closely surrounds the core and the powder-like layer. This may be achieved following the method according to the invention. In a special aspect of the method the necessary solid matter reaction, which transforms a superconductive 0 ' powder into a sintered superconductive string of material is achieved. In addition the core the cable may comprise elements for mechanical reinforcement of the core, for cooling thereof or for dividing it into a number of parallel 5 conductors. A superconductive cable according to the invention and of a limited length can be manufactured in the following way: A tube of Inconel, which is a temperature-resistant and corrosion-resistant compound with a high content of Ni and having an outer diameter of 14 mm and an inner diameter of 11 mm is filled with an intermediate layer of an isolating, ceramic powder A1 2 0 3 adjacent to the metal wall and a core 5 of a powder which constitutes the superconductive core in the following way. Within the Inconel tube a tube made for example of glass is placed, said tube having an outer and an inner diameter of 8 mm and 6 mm respectively, and within this tube is placed a tube with an outer and an inner 0 diameter of 4 mm and 3 mm respectively. In the inner tube is placed: s. metal bar of a thickness of 2 mm. By means of funnels two different kinds of powders are dosed. By means of the first funnel Al 2 0 3 is added to the interspace between the Inconel tube and the glass tube, and by help of the 5 second the powder having the composition Ba 2 C 3 0 and a powder grain dimension of 0-60 my is fed, said powder having to form the superconductive string, in the space between the inner tube and the metal bar. Firstly, approximately 5 cm Al 2 0 3 powder is filled into the outer opening while the 20 outer glass tube is being used for stamping. Then the inner tube is drawn up 1-2 cm, and superconductive powder is added which powder then is stamped with the metal bar. Subsequently, the glass tube is again lifted and there is filled up and stamped until a height of 4-4.5 cm is 25 achieved. Again Al 2 0 3 powder is added, said powder being stamped etc., until the tube is filled with powder. The tube is then sealed with on-welded terminals and subsequently forged to the specified diameter. In this case the tube was processed in a swaging machine thereby achieving a reduction 20. in diameter from 14 mm to 9 mm. At the same time a corresponding pressing of the ceramic powder was achieved. The reduction of the diameter in the swaging machine took place with an advancing speed of 1-2 m/minute. The superconductive cable manufactured in this way was 25 tested and the following measurements carried out on the superconductive string according to the formula YBa 2 Cu 3 0 : Dimension of crystallite approx. 1300 A (measured by X-ray diffraction) Porosity approx. 1.5 Vol% (measured by Hg-porosimetry) Skeleton density approx. 5.55 g/ml 5 (measured by Hg-porosimetry) Positive indication of Meisner-effect at 77 K. After the heating treatment of the cable in 2 h at 930°C the superconductive string has been investigated for 10) shrinkage, and it was found that the string lies solidly imbedded in the surrounding materials. Before the heating treatment it was found that a regular sintering of the Al 2 0 3 layer had not taken place, but it is found as a compact powder. 15 The powder, being used for making the superconductive string, had a normal composition for the forming of a superconductor of the type Y-Ba-Cu-0. However the same method will also be applicable in connection with other compositions of ceramic superconductors. Furthermore, it is O possible to support the sintering of the superconductor in the forging process by means of heating to a temperature, which is below 900°C said temperature being a common temperature for achieving sintering by heating alone. At such temperatures below 900°C the surrounding ceramic 5 insulation will maintain its permeability, whereby it will be posiible also during during the forging to regulate the atmosphere surrounding the core. In addition to swaging, which is used in the example, the forging may take place by hammering or by an explosion- 0 deformation. Furthermore the forging may take place in such a way, that the tube achieves another form than the normally used circular form. Moreover 1 , it is possible in the core to imbed reinforcing- or cooling elements and elements which divide the core into a number of parallel strings. 5 The manufacture of larger lengths of superconductive cables may be performed by application of modifications of the technology which is known from manufacturing of continuouly filled, tubular packings. When the various strings of powder have been placed in the tube and stamped appropriately, the sintering of the core may be carried out by swaging in particular, which allows treatment of even very large lengths of material.

Claims: C l a i m s 1. Superconductive conductor or cable comprising a core, which comprises at least one string of a ceramic, superconductive material, said core being surrounded by a metal cap, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that between the cap and the core at least one layer of a not sintered, ceramic powderous material is present, which material has a higher sintering temperature than the superconductive material in 2 the core.. 22 Superconductive conductor or cable according to claim 1. c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the not sintered material is a heat resistant oxide, in paticular from common sorts of earth, preferable MgO, Al 2 0 3 or Zr0 2 . 3 Superconductive conductor or cable according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in comprising means for the introduction of a preserving or regenerating gas, e.g. 0 2 , : in the not sintered material. 4. Superconductive conductor or cable according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the superconductive core has a dimension of crystallites of approx. 1300 A, a porosity of approx. 1.5 vol% and a skeleton density of approx 5.55 g/ml. 5. Method for the manufacture of an electric superconductive conductor or cable, in which one or more materials, which under specific conditions are or can be made superconductive, is placed in the form of at least one continuous string in a tubular, enclosed metal cap, which after the positioning is subjected to a forging by means of swaging, hammering or explosion-deformation, the cap being by the reduction of the cross section made to tightly ' surround the enclosed materials, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the superconductive material is of such a type that it may achieve its superconductive structure in a solid material reaction under heating, and that the superconductive material is surrounded by another powderous ceramic material, the sintering temperature of which is higher than the reaction temperature of the superconductive material. 6. Method according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the superconductive material is introduced in the cap in the form of a powder, which constitutes the superconductor, and that the forging is carried out with such an intensity that the cross section of the cap will be reduced and the powderous compound under the- pressing is sintered for the formation of the superconductive ceramics. 7. Method according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the cap in order to increase the necessary intensity during the forging is manufactured from a hard and ductile metal, e.g. a corrosion resistant steel, which yields relative high resistance towards the forging. 8. Method according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the tube with its content of powder before or during the forging is heated to a temperature, which is below the temperature at which the solid-reaction and sintering of the superconductive powder takes place. 9. Method according to any of the claims 6, 7 or 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that before, under and/or after the forging a protecting or regenerating atmosphere, preferably 0 2 is introduced into the tube.

Inventors: HENRIKSEN HANS JOERGEN, IVARSEN PRIMDAHL IVAR, HENRIKSEN, HANS, JOERGEN, IVARSEN PRIMDAHL, IVAR
Applicants: TOPSOE HALDOR AS, HALDOR TOPSOEE A/S
Application year: 1989
Main classification: H01L39
IPC codes: B30B11, H01B12, H01B13, H01L39