Cryogenic Electrical Properties of an Aluminum-Beryllium Nanocomposite

Many power distribution networks are desiring lightweight electrical conductors. Cryogenic hyperconducting aluminum (99.999% + pure) is a competitive option to HTS cables at 20 K, but these cables require mechanical reinforcement for many applications, and this strengthening must be compatible with aluminum's annealing schedule to prevent impurity diffusion. AlBeMet AM162H is a lightweight Al-Be nanocomposite which can be processed similar to aluminum alloys, and similar to hyperconducting aluminum, does not experience the extreme quench characteristics seen in superconducting composites. In this research, we shall investigate the electrical conductivity of cryogenic AlBeMet AM162H, and compare its mass specific engineering current carrying capacity with hyperconducting aluminum composites and high purity copper. Additionally, the AC losses of AlBeMet AM162H will be compared to other cryoresistive metals and state-of-the-art low AC loss BSCCO-2212 and MgB2multifilamentary wire.