Development of high mechanical and dielectric strength ceramic insulators for superconducting wires

The high-temperature superconductor, Bi-2212, has great potential for high field magnet application due to its high critical current in a high field and simpler fabrication procedure. Due to the large thermal, mechanical and electro-magnetic stresses present during magnet fabrication and operation, Bi-2212 wire and its insulator must possess high mechanical strength. Zirconia-based, multi-component insulation films have been deposited on Bi-2212 tapes using a modification of the Combustion Chemical Vapor Deposition technique (CCVD). Dielectric and mechanical properties and chemical compatibility with BSCCO have been characterized and optimized. The advances of the CCVD technique in producing multi-component materials with the desired properties are detailed.