LAUSR

MgB2 is the lightest superconducting compound, which in connection with lightweight metals like Ti, used for a diffusion barrier and Al, used for an outer sheath, results in a superconducting wire with a noticeably reduced mass compared to traditional wires. Multi-core MgB2/Ti/Al+Al2O3 superconducting wire was manufactured by internal magnesium diffusion into a boron process. Basic electrical and mechanical properties of the multi-core wire were studied at low temperatures and compared with a single-core wire and also with GlidCop sheathed multi-core wires. It was found that the lightweight multi-core MgB2 wire exhibited a high critical current density and also a good tolerance to mechanical stresses. This predetermines the potential use of such a superconducting wire for applications where a reduction of the mass of the system is required.