Superconductive transition metal carbonitride fibers and method for the preparation thereof
AssigneeThe Carborundum Company
InventorsJames Economy, John H. Mason, William D. Smith
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Abstract
Fine diameter continuous multifilament superconductor yarns comprising niobium carbonitride may be prepared. The fibers of which the yarn is composed possess a very high transition temperature (T.sub.c of 17.degree.K) combined with a good upper critical field (H.sub.c2 of 125 kG) and critical current density (J.sub.c of 10.sup.5 amps/cm.sup.2 at 40 kG). This invention provides excellent superconductor materials in the form of continuous fine diameter multifilament yarn.
Claims9
A superconducting fiber comprising niobium carbonitride having a maximum diameter of 20 microns wherein said niobium carbonitride has a formula NbC.sub.x N.sub.1.sub.-x wherein x is from about 0.05 to about 0.75.
A filamentary superconductor having a maximum diameter of 20 microns comprising a mixture of niobium carbonitride and a compound selected from the group consisting of niobium nitride and niobium carbide, the mixture having carbon and nitrogen present in a ratio specified by the formula NbC.sub.x N.sub.1.sub.-x wherein x is from about 0.05 to about 0.75.
A process for the preparation of superconducting transition metal carbonitride wherein the transition metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, niobium, zirconium, tantalum and hafnium, fibers comprising subjecting a carbon fiber to a temperature from about 1200.degree.C to about 1800.degree.C in the presence of
- 1. a gaseous transition metal halide wherein the transition metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, niobium, zirconium, tantalum and hafnium;
- 2. nitrogen, and
- 3. hydrogen;
- for a time of from about 10 to about 20 minutes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.