In various embodiments, superconducting wires incorporate diffusion barriers composed of Nb alloys or NbTa alloys that resist internal diffusion and provide superior mechanical strength to the wires.

A method for manufacturing a superconductor is described. A metal assembly precursor can be formed within a hollow copper support element. Forming the metal assembly precursor within a hollow copper support element by positioning a plurality of conductor elements about a core including Sn to provide a first plurality of inner interstitial spaces between the plurality of conductor elements between the core and conductor elements and a second plurality of outer interstitial spaces between the hollow copper support element and the core, the plurality of conductor elements including unreacted Nb. The metal assembly precursor can be reduced via cold drawing to produce a reduced metal assembly. The reduced metal assembly can be reaction heat treated so that the unreacted Nb undergoes a phase transformation to a reacted superconductor.

A method for manufacturing a superconductor is described. A metal assembly precursor can be formed within a hollow copper support element. Forming the metal assembly precursor within a hollow copper support element by positioning a plurality of conductor elements about a core including Sn to provide a first plurality of inner interstitial spaces between the plurality of conductor elements between the core and conductor elements and a second plurality of outer interstitial spaces between the hollow copper support element and the core, the plurality of conductor elements including unreacted Nb. The metal assembly precursor can be reduced via cold drawing to produce a reduced metal assembly. The reduced metal assembly can be reaction heat treated so that the unreacted Nb undergoes a phase transformation to a reacted superconductor.

An insulation-coated compound superconducting wire includes a compound superconducting wire having a compound superconducting part which includes a first matrix and a plurality of compound superconducting filaments containing compound superconducting phases, a reinforcing part disposed on the outer circumferential side of the compound superconducting part and includes a plurality of reinforced filaments, a second matrix and a second stabilizing material. A stabilizing part is disposed on at least one side among the inner circumferential side and the outer circumferential side of the reinforcing part. An electrical insulation part covers the outer circumferential surface of the compound superconducting wire, in which the insulation-coated compound superconducting wire has a critical current value (Ic) larger than that of the compound superconducting wire before being covered with the electrical insulation part.

An insulation-coated compound superconducting wire includes a compound superconducting wire having a compound superconducting part which includes a first matrix and a plurality of compound superconducting filaments containing compound superconducting phases, a reinforcing part disposed on the outer circumferential side of the compound superconducting part and includes a plurality of reinforced filaments, a second matrix and a second stabilizing material. A stabilizing part is disposed on at least one side among the inner circumferential side and the outer circumferential side of the reinforcing part. An electrical insulation part covers the outer circumferential surface of the compound superconducting wire, in which the insulation-coated compound superconducting wire has a critical current value (Ic) larger than that of the compound superconducting wire before being covered with the electrical insulation part.

A high temperature superconducting joint, a high temperature superconducting wire or tape comprising a high temperature superconducting joint, or an MRI or NMR machine comprising a high temperature superconducting wire or tape comprising a high temperature superconducting joint. Also, methods for producing a high temperature superconducting joint for use in a superconducting wire or an MRI or NMR machine, or other high field generating coil.

A high temperature superconducting joint, a high temperature superconducting wire or tape comprising a high temperature superconducting joint, or an MRI or NMR machine comprising a high temperature superconducting wire or tape comprising a high temperature superconducting joint. Also, methods for producing a high temperature superconducting joint for use in a superconducting wire or an MRI or NMR machine, or other high field generating coil.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a wire material capable of ensuring high critical current density, regardless of the cross-sectional shape thereof. This super-conducting wire material is equipped with an MgB.sub.2 filament, the number density of cavities having a major axis of 10 m or higher in a longitudinal cross-section of the superconducting wire material is in the range of 5-500 mm.sup.2, and the average value of the angle formed between the major axis of the cavities and the axis of the wire material is 60 degrees or more.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a wire material capable of ensuring high critical current density, regardless of the cross-sectional shape thereof. This super-conducting wire material is equipped with an MgB.sub.2 filament, the number density of cavities having a major axis of 10 m or higher in a longitudinal cross-section of the superconducting wire material is in the range of 5-500 mm.sup.2, and the average value of the angle formed between the major axis of the cavities and the axis of the wire material is 60 degrees or more.

In various embodiments, superconducting wires feature assemblies of clad composite filaments and/or stabilized composite filaments embedded within a wire matrix. The wires may include one or more stabilizing elements for improved mechanical properties.