Experimental and theoretical investigations of losses in a multifilament composite subjected to transient axial fields

In a twisted multifilament composite subjected to transient axial fields three kinds of currents are induced: azimuthal currents in the matrix, azimuthal currents and coupling longitudinal currents in the filaments. Considering only the currents in the filament themselves, the hysteretic losses due to the azimuthal component J
c
of the critical current density are usually the largest. However, when the coupling longitudinal currents flow in the outer layers of filaments in the same direction than the transport current their contribution become preponderant. Again, the theory shows three regimes depending only on the ratio of the amplitude of the changing field over a given threshold field, proportional to the twist pitch length of the composite. Experimental results clearly confirm the theory, in particular the increase of losses with transport current in a multifilament when only little effect was observed in a monofilament.