Further development of powder processed multifilamentary superconductors

Progress in the development of powder metallurgy (P/M) processing of multifilamentary superconductors is discussed for 4 approaches: 1) Cu-Nb-Sn wires were fabricated using internal microscopic diffusion of Sn produced by Sn powder or prealloyed (SnCu) powder; 2) Cu-NbTa-Sn was produced with prealloyed Nb 4 wt % Ta and Nb 7 wt % Ta powders and external Sn diffusion; 3) hot processing was demonstrated using sintering or hydrostatic extrusions with Cu and Nb, or Cu and NbTa powders with or without Al as a function of particle size; and 4) Nb-Al material was develop ed with a (P/M) process. All show high overall critical currents at high field, good strain tolerance, and promise for scaleup processing.