Nb sheathed MgB2 superconducting tape with addition of VB2

Abstract

Abstract MgB2 superconductor is a strategic material for practical applications, due to its superconducting properties as well as the low cost of the raw materials. For many technological applications cable, wire or tape format are required. The addition of VB2 in the MgB2 superconducting bulk had already been used in previous works as an efficient method to enhance the critical current density of the MgB2. In the present work, MgB2 superconducting tapes were developed and characterized using different amount of VB2 addition. Niobium was used as sheath material. The goal of this work is to create an efficient method to improve the transport properties of MgB2 superconducting tapes to be useful for practical application. The results include microstructural, crystallographic, magnetic and transport characterizations. All analyzes were performed together to study the influence of the VB2 addition on the superconducting behavior of MgB2 tapes.