Development of CCVD ceramic insulation for Bi-2212 superconducting wires and Rutherford cables

A low cost, open-atmosphere deposition technique, Combustion Chemical Vapor Deposition (CCVD) is used to deposit zirconia-based, multi-component insulation films on Bi-2212 tapes for fabricating high temperature superconducting magnet coils. The insulation coatings were investigated in detail in terms of composition, microstructure, and insulation strength versus the deposition temperature and other parameters. Dielectric and mechanical properties and chemical compatibility with BSCCO have been characterized and optimized. The advantage of the CCVD technique in producing multi-component insulating materials with the desired properties are described. A brief evaluation of this insulation coating on Rutherford cables fabricated from Bi-2212 wires is also reported.