Simulation study of mechanical performance parameters of REBCO-based HTS Cables

Nuclear fusion has the potential to become a viable energy source in the future, given the high depletion rate of conventional energy sources and increasing energy demands. fusion require wires and cables that can carry high currents with minimal loss to generate high magnetic field. High-temperature superconductors (HTS) are considered cost-effective compared to low-temperature superconductors (LTS), but developing HTS-based wires and cables poses significant challenges.

The second-generation HTS of the rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) family shows promise conductor due to its high current density and low hysteresis losses. However, its brittleness requires transformation into tapes before being converted into cables and wires. Determining the critical limits for various superconductor types, geometries, and sizes under mechanical forces is essential. However, experimental investigations are costly and challenging due to the brittle nature, high current density, and cryogenic operating temperatures of HTS tapes and cables. Simulation studies using FEM software offer a viable alternative. Therefore, a simulation-based investigation on the degradation of REBCO tapes under different mechanical loads (tensile, bending, torsion, and winding) for varying geometric parameters (thickness of Hastelloy & copper, tape width, central core diameter) have been performed. The findings will aid manufacturers and researchers in developing better HTS REBCO tapes and cables that can withstand various loads and fatigue.