Braiding ultrathin layer for insulation of superconducting Rutherford cables

Abstract

Over-braiding of superconducting Rutherford cable was used for the composite insulation in this research. Braiding was a suitable alternative to fabric tape winding for achieving ultrathin insulation with required electrical breakdown voltage. A brief overview of the superconducting magnets, their application and requirements of insulation has been covered in order to bridge the literature gap between braiding and the superconducting magnet field of studies. Organic size coating on the fibre leaves carbon residue during high temperature treatment of the cables and hence glass fibre was desized before braiding. Braiding difficulties with desized glass fibre and possibility of braiding using compatible size coating have been discussed. The requirement of ultrathin braided layer was achieved with sufficient surface coverage with a suitable braid angle and fibre. As part of the study, braid cover factor variation on the surface of the cable was investigated and it was discussed using image analysis.