Axial Tensile Stress-Strain Characterization of a 36 rm Nb₃rm Sn Strands Cable

A newly built test apparatus for mechanical characterization of ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) relevant sub-size cables is described, and the first experimental results on a 36 strands cable are presented. The cable consisting of nonreacted Nb3Sn strands was subjected to tensile axial load up to 10 kN at temperatures of 300 K and 4.2 K. The Young modulus and ultimate tensile strength of the cable specimen are compared with those measured in single strands, extracted from the cable. The cable contraction was monitored during the tensile stress-strain testing. An analytical model for wire ropes is used to predict the cable stiffness. The test results are aimed at interpretation and validation of the cable models being under development