Superconducting Stabilization Material RRR Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process for high-purity copper superconducting stabilization materials is complex and costly, and it is difficult to achieve a high residual resistance ratio (RRR) due to challenges in controlling impurity concentrations and stabilizing elements like oxygen and Zr.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating small amounts of Ca, La, and Ce into copper to form compounds with inevitable impurities such as S, Se, and Te, which improves the residual resistance ratio (RRR) without the need for extreme purity levels, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high purity copper is used to achieve high residual resistance ratio (RRR), then the RRR is sufficiently high, but the manufacturing process becomes extremely complicated and the manufacturing cost greatly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of copper by adding specific elements (Zr: 0.01-100 ppm, Hf: 0.01-100 ppm, and/or Ta: 0.01-100 ppm) to achieve high RRR. This parameter change allows obtaining high RRR without requiring extreme purity levels, thus simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining reliable electrical performance at low temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely eliminating all impurities to achieve high RRR, the invention converts the approach by intentionally adding specific elements (Zr, Hf, Ta) that can actually improve or maintain high RRR. These elements, when controlled within specific ranges, benefit the electrical resistance properties at low temperatures while allowing other impurities to remain within acceptable limits, thereby simplifying purification requirements
2Reliability
If impurity concentrations are reduced to extreme levels to achieve high RRR, then the RRR is sufficiently high, but the manufacturing cost greatly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the compositional parameters by specifying controlled amounts of beneficial elements (Zr: 0.01-100 ppm, Hf: 0.01-100 ppm, Ta: 0.01-100 ppm) rather than requiring extreme purity. This parameter adjustment achieves high RRR through compositional optimization instead of costly purification to extreme levels, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable low-temperature electrical performance
3Reliability
If small amounts of Zr are added to high purity copper to achieve high RRR, then the RRR improves, but it is difficult to control the amounts of oxygen and Zr and difficult to stably produce a copper alloy having a high residual resistance ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The invention establishes specific parameter ranges for multiple elements (Zr: 0.01-100 ppm, Hf: 0.01-100 ppm, Ta: 0.01-100 ppm) that work synergistically to achieve high RRR. By defining controlled ranges for these beneficial elements along with impurity limits (Fe≤0.1 ppm, Pb≤0.05 ppm, Bi≤0.05 ppm, Sb≤0.05 ppm), the invention creates a stable compositional specification that enables consistent production of high RRR copper alloys through standard manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite copper alloy system incorporating multiple elements (Zr, Hf, Ta) in specific combinations and proportions. This composite approach provides compositional stability and manufacturing robustness, as the synergistic effect of multiple elements within controlled ranges ensures consistent high RRR performance, making the material properties more predictable and stable during production
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in a superconducting stabilization material with a high residual resistance ratio (RRR) of 250 or more, enabling effective current diversion and stable operation in superconducting wires and coils, while maintaining a relatively simple and inexpensive production process.
Implementation Method 1
adding small amounts of Ca, La, and Ce to pure copper and fixing S, Se, and Te as a compound
Implementation Method 2
the resistance at extremely low temperatures be sufficiently low. Residual resistance ratio (RRR) is widely used as an indicator of electric resistance at extremely low temperatures
Implementation Method 3
the temperature of the superconducting material rises and the temperature of the entire superconducting material becomes higher than the critical temperature, transitioning the superconducting state to a normal conducting state
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a superconducting stabilization material used for a superconducting wire, which is formed of a copper material which contains: one or more types of additive elements selected from Ca, La, and Ce in a total of 3 ppm by mass to 400 ppm by mass; and a balance being Cu and inevitable impurities and in which a total concentration of the inevitable impurities excluding O, H, C, N, and S which are gas components is 5 ppm by mass to 100 ppm by mass.