Critical current degradation in multifilamentary Nb3Al wires from transverse compressive and axial tensile stress

Changes in the critical current of multifilamentary Nb3A1 superconducting wires due to transverse compressive stress and axial tensile stress were examined. Measurements of the two stress effects on Nb3Al were compared to to the commercially available Nb3Sn wires by using the estimates of the first elastic-modulus of Nb3Al exposed to cryogenic temperature. Relative insensitivity to stress was exhibited by the Nb3Al conductors.