Second VAMAS a.c. loss measurement intercomparison: magnetization measurement of low-frequency (hysteretic) a.c. loss in NbTi multifilamentary strands

The results of the 2nd VAMAS measurement intercomparison program on low-frequency (hysteretic) a.c. loss are presented and discussed. Two sets of multifilamentary NbTi strands (Set No. 1: copper matrix, fil. diams 0.5, 1, 3, and 12 μm; Set No. 2: cupronickel matrix, fil. diams 0.4, 0.5, and 1 μm) were subjected to interlaboratory testing. In an initial series of tests, samples in various forms (e.g. wire bundles, coils) were measured mostly by vibrating-sample- and SQUID magnetometry. Considerable scatter was noted especially in the small-filament-diameter a.c.-loss data. In a study of measurement accuracy, a supplementary series of tests compared the results of VSM measurement of a given pair of copper-matrix samples. In the light of all the results, factors contributing to a.c. loss error are discussed and recommendations are made concerning the specification of future a.c.-loss measurement intercomparisons.