Tensile measurements of the modulus of elasticity of Nb3Sn at room temperature and 4 K

The critical current of Nb,Sn superconductors is highly sensitive to strain, Consequently, accurate mechanical modeling of these conductors is necessary to interpret experimental data and to predict conductor performance in applications such as large magnet systems, A key parameter in these models is the modulus of elasticity (E, Young's modulus); however, there are large discrepancies in the available data, and there are no published tensile-test data on E for Nb3Sn. Tensile test specimens were prepared from a starting material of Nb tape with 1.4 wt.% ZrO2 precipitates. Tensile measurements of unreacted Nb and partially reacted Nb-Nb3Sn tapes were made at room temperature (293 K) and at 4 K. A modulus of elasticity of 65 +/- 15 GPa was extrapolated from these measurements for polycrystalline Nb3Sn at 4 K, and 150 +/- 15 GPa at room temperature.