Electromagnetic, mechanical, thermal and associated material characterization platforms

Test Cryostat at variable Temperature and High Magnetic field Saclay 1 (CETACES 1)

Context:

Critical current measurements on superconducting strands (1.8 K ≤ T ≤ 60 K) under high magnetic field (B ≤ 17 T). The station could operate at T = 200 K, with however lower performances in terms of temperature stability and capacity of the current leads.

Technical means:
  • Stabilized power supply, I < 3000 A,
  • Temperature control of the sample, with a 1000 m3 /h pumping group Roots,
  • Sample holder [1.8 K, 4.2 K] equipped with a JT valve,
  • Evaporator cryostat (P =10 W),
  • Field, temperature and current control by computer.

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Test station

H0

Context:

Characterization of superconducting wires in a background magnetic field B ≤ 3 T with a spatial homogeneity of 350 ppm in a sphere of diameter 300 mm (warm bore of diameter Φ = 350 mm which can accommodate a Variable Temperature Insert: 4.2 K ≤ T ≤ 300 K).


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h0 magnet

CRYOMECHA - Mechanical test laboratory

This platform benefits from a transnational access provided by the EURO-LABS - EUROpean Laboratories for Accelerator Based Science project.

Lights
Context:

Mechanical tests at room temperature or cryogenic temperature: 77 K (liquid nitrogen) and 4.2 K (liquid helium). Determination of the mechanical characteristics (elasticity modulus, elastic limit, breaking load and stretch, fragility) of metal and composite materials, study of assembly behavior (bending, traction, compression and slippage).


Technical means:
  • one hydraulic press with a capacity of 1600 kN in compression,
  • one electromechanical press with a capacity of 300 kN in traction and compression,
  • one electromechanical press with a capacity of 150 kN in traction and compression, which can be used with 2 different cryostats for cryogenic tests (77 K or 4.2 K). One cryostat has a capacity of 50 kN in traction or flexion and the other one a capacity of 80 kN in traction and 150 kN in compression.

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Cryogenic tensile/bending test insert

Characterization Laboratory at Cryogenic Temperature (LABCAF)

Context:

Characterization of superconducting samples by measurement of the « Residual Resistivity Ratio » (RRR) (Φ ≤ 0.15 m, h ≤ 1 m, 4.5 K ≤ T ≤ 300 K) and measurement of the first critical field HC1 (Φ ≤ 0.3 m, h ≤ 1.33 m, 2 K ≤ T ≤ 40 K).


Technical means:
  • Two small cryostats :
  • One cryostat (useful dimensions: h = 1.33 m and Φ = 30 cm), with a removable bottom insert, currently used for first critical field HC1 measurements by local magnetometry (B ≤ 150 mT), but adaptable to other experiments,
  • One cryostat (useful dimensions: h = 1 m and Φ = 15 cm) used for RRR measurements,
  • Nitrogen and helium dewars (T ≥ 1.9 K),
  • Precision voltmeters and ammeters, temperature controllers.

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LABCAF

Insulation laboratory

Context:

The insulation laboratory is equipped with several technical means allowing for example to design small coils, impregnate prototypes or characterization specimens, prepare superconducting cables before characterization via the dissolution of aluminum or copper or process resins and chemicals, perform characterizations at room temperature.


Technical means:
  • A winding machine which allows to design coils with different shapes (L ≤ 750 mm, Φ ≤ 400 mm),
  • Characterization means:
    • Precision weighing scales (mmax = 220 g à 0,1 mg),
    • Binocular (magnification x40),
    • KRÜSS liquid-solid tensiometer,
    • SETARAM differential calorimeter,
    • Rhéowin Rotovisco1 rheometer (viscosity and rheology measurements at variable temperature),
    • Pycnometer (determination of the volume of a solid body by gas expansion).
  • A chemistry laboratory equipped with fume hoods,
  • Ovens and furnaces of different sizes (130 l at 200°C under vacuum, 749 l at 300°C, small volumes in controlled atmosphere up to 1100°C, 130 l à 800°C),
  • A room equipped with devices certified for use in explosive Atmosphere (Atex) area.

Lights

Insulation laboratory

Location

CEA - Saclay (France)


Contact

For further information please email: AMICI@cea.fr.