A 3-D Numerical Model to Estimate the Critical Current in MgB Wire and Cable with Twisted Structure.

Due to the low material cost, high critical transition temperature and high-current-carrying capacity, MgB round wire with twisted filaments has great potential for applications in engineering. Therefore, it is important to estimate their critical current for optimizing and realizing high-powered wire and cable. A 3-D model is presented to calculate the critical current of wire and cable with twisted filaments. The critical current is estimated based on the Biot-Savart law and self-consistent model. A comparison between 2-D and 3-D models is performed for the wire. We consider the effect of twist pitch on the critical current. Moreover, the critical current of 6-around-1 cable with different twist pitches is analyzed and discussed using the 3-D model. It can be found that twist pitch of filaments plays an important role on the critical current. The model and method may also be useful for other superconducting wires and cables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]