Interfacial Coatings for Inorganic Composite Insulation Systems

Abstract

Inorganic (ceramic) insulation materials are known to have good radiation resistance and desirable electrical and mechanical properties at cryogenic and elevated temperatures. In addition, ceramic materials can withstand the high‐temperature reaction cycle used with Nb3Sn superconductor materials, allowing the insulation to be co‐processed with the superconductor in a wind‐and‐react fabrication process. A critical aspect in the manufacture of ceramic‐based insulation systems is the deposition of suitable fiber‐coating materials that prevent chemical reaction of the fiber and matrix materials, and thus provide a compliant interface between the fiber and matrix, which minimizes the impact of brittle failure of the ceramic matrix. Ceramic insulation produced with CTD‐FI‐202 fiber interfaces have been found to exhibit very high shear and compressive strengths. However, this material is costly to produce. Thus, the goal of the present work is to evaluate alternative, lower‐cost materials and processes. A varie...