Nb/sub 3/Al wire produced by powder metallurgy and rapid quenching from high temperatures

Powder-metallurgy-processed Nb-25-at.% Al wires were annealed at temperatures just below the melting temperature. Depending on anneal conditions, the entire Nb-Al part of the wire could be rapidly quenched as a metastable Al Nb(Al) solid solution with an Al concentration exceeding 23 at.%. This A2 phase is sufficiently ductile to be bent without incurring damage. A second anneal at 950 degrees C converted the A2 into A15. J/sub c/ was 10/sup 4/ A/cm/sup 2/ at 22 T, and T/sub c/ was 17.8 K. The rapid quenching of Nb-Al powder metallurgy processed wire is a possible alternative to obtain improved high-field properties.<
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