Electromechanical Properties Evaluation of Multifilamentary MgB2 Wires With Different Reinforcements

Magnesium diboride (MgB
₂
) wires are highly attractive for various applications, given their high critical transition temperatures. The brittle compound filaments are protected by metallic sheaths that provide sufficiently strong reinforcement. The mechanical reinforcement provided to the brittle wires compensates for this weakness and enhances their electromechanical properties. Therefore, MgB
₂
wires can be considered a promising alternative to high-temperature superconducting wires in low magnetic fields such as those used in magnetic resonance imaging, wind power generators, and other applications. This study focused on the evaluation of the electromechanical behaviors of multifilamentary MgB
₂
wires of various configurations and with various sheaths. The irreversible strain-stress limits for I
_c
degradation were evaluated under practical environmental conditions at a magnetic field of 2 T and a temperature of 20 K. The influences of the reinforcing materials on the electromechanical properties were investigated as was the temperature dependence of the mechanical properties.