A New Ductile, Tougher Resin for Impregnation of Superconducting Magnets

Abstract

A major remaining challenge for $Nb_3Sn$ high field magnets is their training due to random temperature variations in the coils. The main objective of our research is to reduce or eliminate it by finding novel impregnation materials with respect to the epoxies currently used. An organic olefin-based thermosetting dicyclopentadiene (DCP) resin, $C_10H_12$, commercially available in Japan as TELENE by RIMTEC, was used to impregnate a short $Nb_3Sn$ undulator coil developed by ANL and FNAL. This magnet reached short sample limit after only two quenches, compared with several dozens when $CTD-101K$ was used. Ductility, i.e. the ability to accept large strains, and toughness were identified as key properties to achieve these results. In addition, we have been investigating whether mixing TELENE with high heat capacity ceramic powders, increases the specific heat ($C_p$) of impregnated $Nb_3Sn$ superconducting magnets. The viscosity, heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and other physical properties of TELENE with $high-C_p$ powder fillers were measured in this study as a function of temperature and magnetic field. Mixing TELENE with either $Gd_2O_3$, $Gd_2O_2S$, and $HoCu_2$ increases its $C_p$ tenfold. We have also investigated the effect on the mechanical properties of pure and mixed TELENE under 10 $Gy$ of gamma-ray irradiation at the Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute in Takasaki, Japan. Whereas both $TELENE-82wt\%Gd_2O_3$ and $TELENE-83wt\%HoCu_2$ performed well, the best mechanical properties after irradiation were obtained for $TELENE-87wt\%Gd2O_2S$. Testing a short undulator in the future with the latter impregnation material will verify whether it will further improve the coils thermal stability. Short magnet training will lead to better magnet reliability, lower risk and substantial saving in accelerators commissioning costs.