High Thermal Conductivity Resin Systems for High Energy Physics Magnets
In Nb3Sn superconducting magnets, the cable and insulation system dominate the behavior of a completed magnet, with contributions to the mechanical behavior from the stiff, brittle components of the superconductor, the soft annealed copper stabilizer, and the properties of the composite insulation system. As these components are closely integrated on a small scale, it is of value to explore the properties of the entire system at a larger scale, to enable practical magnet design. Subscale composite testing (Stack Testing) has been used extensively to study the bulk material properties of the magnet composite structure. Small samples that mimic the fabrication process of magnets are fabricated and tested to qualify and characterize magnet insulation systems for use in future magnet projects as well as to better inform magnet designers about means for assembly and general handling processes. Subscale composite samples will be fabricated and characterized using various novel resins to work to improve magnet performance. New resin systems will be screened to allow for down selection to one or more highly promising resin systems. The work performed under this agreement at Fermilab will feed via CTD into the fabrication of subscale magnets at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) for verification of magnet performance.