Evaluation of residual stress and texture in isotope based Mg11B2 superconductor using neutron diffraction

Magnesium diboride (MgB₂) superconducting wires have demonstrated commercial potential to replace niobium–titanium (NbTi) in terms of comparable critical current density. Its higher critical temperature makes MgB₂ wire suitable for liquid-helium-free operation. We recently reported boron-11 isotope-based low-activation Mg¹¹B₂ superconducting wire with decent critical current density appropriate for low-cost superconducting fusion magnets. In this study, we have mainly focused on the neutron diffraction technique to measure the residual stress in Mg¹¹B₂ superconducting wire for the first time. The residual stress state was given qualitative and quantitative interpretation in terms of micro- and macrostress generation mechanisms based on the isotropic model confirmed by neutron texture measurements. The relationship between the stress/strain state in the wire and the transport critical current density is also discussed. This investigation could pave the way to further enhancement of the critical current density of low-activation Mg¹¹B₂ superconducting wires suitable for next-generation fusion grade magnets.

Magnesium diboride (MgB₂) superconducting wires have demonstrated commercial potential to replace niobium–titanium (NbTi) in terms of comparable critical current density.