Texture in state-of-the-art Nb3Sn multifilamentary superconducting wires

The texture of Nb 3 Sn in recent multifilamentary composite wires has been studied by neutron diffraction, synchrotron x-ray diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction. In powder-in-tube (PIT) type superconductors the Nb precursor filaments exhibit a strong 〈110〉 fiber texture as a consequence of the severe cold drawing process, and a 〈110〉 texture is also observed in the Nb 3 Sn. In the Nb–Ta precursor of the restacked rod process (RRP) strand there is an additional texture component, and in both Ta-alloyed and Ti-alloyed RRP type conductors the Nb 3 Sn grains grow with a preferential 〈100〉 orientation.