Design and dimensioning of a test bench for investigating the relationship between critical temperature and axial mechanical stress of GdBaCuO tape conductors

Abstract

Purpose Superconductors offer several advantages compared with conventional conductors. However, it is not clear at this stage whether these types of conductors provide the same durability. For this reason, tape conductors under mechanical forces need to be studied in detail. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between critical temperature and axial mechanical stress of GdBaCuO tape conductors. Design/methodology/approach The paper investigates the influence of axial mechanical stresses on the critical temperature of superconductors. For these investigations, a multi-physical test rig was developed, which makes it possible to perform these types of investigations. With the presented measurement methodology, the influence of mechanical stresses on the tape conductor can be determined. Findings The investigations show a correlation between the critical temperature and the acting mechanical stresses. The analytically presented approach to describe the transition temperature is valid for the investigated samples. In addition, it is determined that the effects are not reversible, and therefore, permanent damage to the tape conductor is observed. Originality/value The presented investigations make it possible to create more accurate models of GdBaCuO tape conductors. This enables to extend the superconducting state space, which so far depends on three critical quantities, by the quantity of the axial stress.