2004 Volume 73 Issue 1 Pages 3
In order to realize applications of HT superconducting materials for power electric devices and industrial facilities, the further development of high-performance wire and thin film conductors is indispensable. First, the manufacturing processes for composite conductors of Bi2223, Bi2212, Y123 and MgB2 are reviewed, while recently achieved performances in terms of critical current (Ic), its strain dependency, AC losses and mechanical properties are surveyed and compared with each other, as well categorized. We have analyzed how these properties depend on the manufacturing process, architectures of conductors and microstructures, and have clarified the possibilities and plans for further improvement. Comparison among various conductors has been carried out in terms of the quantities of engineering critical current density, Young’s modulus, fracture strength and the IcL product index, where L is the wire length. The target is suggested of achieving the product of IcL=300 kAm when the HT superconducting conductors are released commercially.
