Large transport critical currents of powder-in-tube Sr0.6K0.4Fe2As2/Ag superconducting wires and tapes

TL;DR

This study demonstrates high transport critical currents in Sr0.6K0.4Fe2As2/Ag superconducting wires and tapes, achieved through an in-situ powder-in-tube process with silver addition, showing strong vortex pinning and improved connectivity.

Contribution

First achievement of high transport critical currents in Sr0.6K0.4Fe2As2/Ag wires and tapes using an in-situ powder-in-tube method with silver as sheath and additive.

Findings

Critical current density Jc up to ~1200 A/cm^2 at 4.2 K

Jc is field independent between 1 T and 10 T

Silver sheath improves connectivity and prevents reaction layers

Abstract

We report significant transport critical currents firstly achieved in Sr0.6K0.4Fe2As2 wires and tapes with a Tc = 34 K, which were fabricated through an in-situ powder-in-tube process. Silver was used as a chemical addition as well as a sheath material. Transport measurements were performed by a standard four-probe resistive method. All the wire and tape samples have shown transport properties. Critical current density Jc was enhanced upon silver addition, and at 4.2 K, a best Jc of ~1200 A/cm^2 (Ic = 9 A) was achieved for 20 % silver added tapes, which is the highest in iron-based wires and tapes so far. The Jc is almost field independent between 1 T and 10 T, exhibiting a strong vortex pinning. Such a high transport critical current density is attributed to the absence of reaction layer between the silver sheath and superconducting core, as well as an improved connectivity between grains. We also identify a weak-link behavior from the creep drop of Jc at low fields and a hysteretic phenomenon. Finally, we found that compared to Fe, Ta and Nb tubes, Ag was the best sheath material for the fabrication of high-performance 122 type pnictide wires and tapes.