Ceramic Electrical Insulation Coating on Bi2Sr2CaCu208-x Round Wire

The present invention relates to an electrical insulation on Bi2Sr2CaCu208-x (Bi-2212) superconductor wire used in high field superconducting magnets. More specifically, it relates to a method for preparing suitable ceramic powder solvent suspension (slurry) and thereby applying thin ceramic coating on Bi-2212 superconducting wire by the dip coating process.

Advantages:

• Excellent adherence before and after the heat treatment - HT
• Thickness ~11µm (before HT), ~7 µm (after HT); Break down voltage ~300V (after HT)
• No large cracks but presence of porosity provides pathways for oxygen getting into the wire
• No degradation in Ic values or superconducting properties
• Long length capability
• Al2O3 ceramic is another candidate for Bi-2212 insulation