Tuning the Physical Properties of V-Ti-Ce Alloy Superconductors Through Successive Cold-Working and Annealing at 650 °C

Abstract

V- Ti alloys are promising alternatives to Nb for the construction of superconducting solenoids that produce high magnetic fields. The critical current density ($$J_C$$ J C ), which quantifies the capacity of a superconductor to carry large dissipationless current, increases in the V-Ti alloys with the addition of Ce. Here, the effects of successive cold working and annealing on the electrical resistivity, $$J_C$$ J C , and microstructure of the V$$_{0.59}$$ 0.59 Ti$$_{0.40}$$ 0.40 Ce$$_{0.01}$$ 0.01 alloy are studied. The $$J_C$$ J C is the maximum after the second cold rolling. Annealing at 650 $$^{\circ }$$ ∘ C is found to nucleate and grow the $$\alpha $$ α -phase which is detrimental to $$J_C$$ J C , whereas the precipitation of the $$\alpha '$$ α ′ -phase is found to improve the $$J_C$$ J C .