Experimental and theoretical investigation of mechanical disturbances in epoxy-impregnated superconducting coils. 3. Fracture-induced premature quenches

Abstract The theoretical correlation between shear stress and epoxy resin fracture developed in Part 2 was verified experimentally using a series of epoxy-impregnated, thin-walled superconducting test coils. A Lorentz shear stress field was created within the winding of each coil by placing it in a constant background magnetic field and energizing it with transport current, which was increased slowly at a constant rate. Because the boundary condition at each end of the test coil critically influenced the Lorentz shear stress field, which caused epoxy resin fracture, premature quench data were measured for test coils with different combinations of end boundary conditions. In test coils with both ends rigidly clamped, cracks occurred as transport current was increased; during a training sequence the test was terminated by a premature quench. Using acoustic emission and voltage signals, each premature quench was linked directly to a crack occurring near one of the ends. Test coils which had both ends unsupported, giving the winding freedom to expand radially, did not experience epoxy fracture and showed no premature quenches: these reached critical current at the first attempt.