E4. Electromagnetic, mechanical, thermal and associated material characterization platforms

Test Cryostat at Variable Temperature and High Magnetic Field Saclay - CETACES (CEA)

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.

  • 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.

H0 (CEA)

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).


CRYOMECHA - Mechanical test laboratory (CEA)

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

Lights

Mechanical tests at room temperature or cryogenic temperature: 77 K (liquid nitrogen) and 4.2 K (liquid helium).

  • 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.

Insulation laboratory (CEA)

The insulation/impregnation laboratory provides technical support for SACM’s projects on insulation for superconducting magnets and their winding:

  • Production of small coils,
  • Preparation of superconducting cables prior to characterization by dissolving aluminum or copper,
  • Use of resins and chemicals,
  • Room temperature characterizations (calorimeter, tensiometer, rheometer, pycnometer).

Characterization Laboratory at Cryogenic Temperature - LABCAF (CEA)

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).

  • 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.

Mechanical test laboratory (CIEMAT)

  • Creep test,
  • Tensile test, toughness, fatigue crack growth, etc…,
  • Small punch test,
  • Impact test,
  • Durometer,
  • Nanoindentation test,
  • Radiactive facility,
  • Metrology laboratory.

Test-stand for characterization of superconductors (IFJ-PAN)


Two vacuum chambers for thermal fatigue tests (IFJ-PAN)


Cryogenic Materialtests Karlsruhe - CryoMak (KIT)

The laboratory for cryogenic material tests Karlsruhe is designed to meet the special requirements of various characterization methods, mainly in the temperature range from 4.2 K to room temperature.