Low- and high-temperature superconductors, characterised
NbTi and Nb3Sn wire, YBCO 2G HTS tape, MgB2 wire and Bi-2212 conductor — sourced from Chinese producers serving magnet programs and fusion research, with critical-current data per piece.
Superconductors are sold by critical current
Superconducting materials carry electrical current with zero DC resistance below a critical temperature, in a critical magnetic field, up to a critical current density. The category divides into low-temperature superconductors (LTS) — NbTi and Nb3Sn — that operate near liquid helium, and high-temperature superconductors (HTS) — YBCO, BSCCO, MgB2 — that can operate at higher temperatures with the right cooling.
The variable that matters is critical current as a function of magnetic field and temperature. Two pieces of YBCO 2G tape from the same batch can have different Ic values depending on substrate orientation and pinning. Two NbTi wires from the same melt can carry different current at 4.2 K depending on cold work and heat treatment. The data sheet alone does not tell you what arrives.
Sourcing Captain works with the small group of Chinese producers credible in this market — most of whom already supply into European and US magnet programs — and we make per-piece critical current measurement part of the contract.
Superconductor sourcing — five steps
Magnet brief
Field, temperature, current and conductor architecture translated into a wire or tape spec.
Producer selection
Match the spec to the credible Chinese producer for that conductor family.
Sample piece
A short sample for Ic, n-value and substrate verification at an independent lab.
PO
Locked-price PO with per-piece Ic data and a length-tolerance clause.
Release & ship
Per-piece release pack issued before crating; sealed shipment with traceable serials.
Why magnet programs cannot afford a "nominal spec" purchase
A superconducting magnet is built from kilometres of wire or hundreds of metres of tape, and a single weak point can quench the magnet under load. The cost of a quenched coil is the cost of rewinding it. The cost of an Ic that drifts 10% below datasheet is a magnet that does not reach the design field. Neither is recoverable from a paperwork apology.
A sourcing partner who insists on per-piece Ic measurement, retains short samples, and verifies splices and joints before shipment is what magnet programs need from a supplier-side partner. We have run this type of order before, on this side of the Pacific.
Per-piece release pack
Critical current
Ic vs B and T at the relevant operating points, per piece.
n-value
Transition sharpness measurement, per piece.
Length & dimensions
Length, width and thickness measured against the spec.
Joint inspection
Where applicable, joint resistance and physical integrity inspection.
Substrate data
For HTS tape — substrate and buffer architecture identification.
Sample retain
Short sample retained under sealed storage for verification re-test.
Superconductor sourcing FAQs
Which superconductor families do you cover?
NbTi (single and multi-filament), Nb3Sn (bronze route and internal tin), YBCO 2G HTS tape, BSCCO 2212 round wire, BSCCO 2223 tape and MgB2 wire. For Bi-2212 we work with the small group of Chinese producers serving magnet programs.
Can you supply long lengths?
Yes. NbTi typically ships in piece lengths of several kilometres; YBCO 2G in several hundred metres. We confirm the available piece length distribution at PO time and we report it per piece.
How is Ic measured and reported?
At an agreed magnetic field and temperature, with the test method referenced explicitly. For HTS tape this is typically Ic at 77 K self-field plus an in-field point. For NbTi and Nb3Sn it is typically Ic at 4.2 K and a relevant field. We will recommend the right test plan for the application.
Can you ship short samples to multiple labs?
Yes — short samples for cross-checking at the buyer's lab and at an independent lab are routine. Sample tracking is part of the dossier.
How are these lots packaged?
On reels or in custom crates with humidity and shock protection, traceable serial numbers and protective interleaving. The packaging plan is signed off before sealing.
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