In-Situ Manufacturing of SiC-Doped MgB2 Used for Superconducting Wire

Abstract

Received: 1 June 2020 Accepted: 30 March 2021 Magnesium diboride (MgB2) is a highly potential superconducting material, in substitution of Nb3Sn, which has a critical temperature of ~ 39 K. This synthesis and manufacturing of MgB2 wire were conducted by in-situ powder in tube (PIT). The method doped with silicon carbide (SiC) was aimed to study the effect of phase formation on carbon substitution and morphological characteristics with the motivation to improve superconductivity properties. Magnesium, boron, and SiC powders were synthesized and functionally processed with stainless Steel 304 tube. Heat treatment was conducted at 750°C, 800°C, and 850°C for 2 hours followed by furnace cooling. Characterization was carried out by x-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cryogenic magnet testing. The results showed that 1% SiC optimally increased the zero critical temperature of MgB2 ~ 37.18 K along with the sintering at 750°C for 2 hours.