Composite reaction textured Bi-2212 twin current lead structures

Monolithic twin Bi/sub 2/Sr/sub 2/CaCu/sub 2/O/sub x/ (Bi-2212) conductors have been fabricated on MgO-LiF, stainless steel and Macor substrates for current lead applications. The composite reaction texturing (CRT) method gives considerable flexibility in design; a composite aligned MgO whisker/Bi-2212 polymer processing route can be shaped before reaction to match the critical current to the system temperature profile. Leads have been designed for conduction cooled zero field 4 K and 77 K. At 4 K the critical current density (J/sub c/) is in excess of 10/sup 5/ A cm/sup -2/, at 77 K J/sub c/ is self-field limited and varies between 10/sup 3/ A cm/sup -2/. Leads 10-20 cm in length were designed for currents of 200 and 1000 A with thermal conduction losses of less than 0.05 W and flexural loads greater than 10 N.<
>