Low-field behavior of Ti-added MgB2/Cu superconducting wires

Abstract

We report on low-field magnetic properties of Ti-added (0-20 wt.% of Ti) Cu-clad MgB2 superconducting wires. Wires were produced by mixing appropriate amount of Ti and reacted MgB2 powder which was then placed inside Cu tubes with a diameter of 6 mm. The tubes were then cold worked by rolling or drawing to smaller diameters and then annealed at various temperatures to enhance the grain connectivity. XRD studies show that Ti addition results in new but minor phases. We have then measured ac susceptibilities in the temperature range between 20 K and 40 K in ac fields of 20-1600 A/m. The data show that an additional loss mechanism is established with Ti-addition. The calculated ac losses are increasing with increasing Ti-content in the main superconducting matrix.