Preparation of in situ MgB2/Fe superconducting tapes with highly densified core by hot pressing of electrically self-heated PIT wires

Abstract

Iron-sheathed in situ MgB2 superconducting tapes with high densities were prepared by hot pressing of electrically self-heated powder-in-tube wires. The tapes were characterized for phase purity, density, microstructure and superconducting properties. It has been possible to achieve a core density of 2.45 g/cm(3) (93.2% of theoretical density) and 2.4-fold increase in critical current for the best sample. The method can be transformed into a hot rolling process for large-scale production of long MgB2 conductors.