Windability Tests of Nb3Sn Rutherford Cables for HL-LHC and FCC

In the framework of the development of high field magnets made of Nb3Sn superconductors for projects like the high luminosity upgrade of the large hadron collider (HL-LHC) and FCC studies, it is necessary to refine the understanding of the winding process and its impact of the overall mechanical integrity of the conductor. The mechanical behavior during winding of the unreacted Rutherford-type Nb3Sn cables has been studied experimentally. In order to quantify the windability of the various cable designs, the measurement method and a dedicated specimen-scanning device has been developed. The validation of the device and achieved repeatability are presented in this paper. The results from the first winding test campaign with cables 11 T dipole RRP, 11 T dipole dummy Cu, MQXF, FRESCA 2, and NbTi are shown.