Tensile measurements of the modulus of elasticity of Nb/sub 3/Sn at room temperature and 4 K

The critical current of Nb/sub 3/Sn superconductors is highly sensitive to strain. Consequently, accurate mechanical modeling of these conductors is necessary to interpret experimental data and to predict conductor performance in applications such as large magnet systems. A key parameter in these models is the modulus of elasticity (E, Young's modulus); however, there are large discrepancies the available data, and there are no published tensile-test data on E for Nb/sub 3/Sn. Tensile test specimens were prepared from a starting material of Nb tape with 1.4 wt.% ZrO/sub 2/ precipitates. Tensile measurements of unreacted Nb and partially reacted Nb-Nb/sub 3/Sn tapes were made at room temperature (293 K) and at 4 K. A modulus of elasticity of 65/spl plusmn/15 GPa was extrapolated from these measurements for polycrystalline Nb/sub 3/Sn at 4 K, and 150/spl plusmn/15 GPa at room temperature.