Production process
Columbus Superconductors manufactures superconducting wires using the so-called Powder in Tube (P.I.T) ex-situ process, which is a very effective way of producing uniform, strong, long-length conductors. During the initial chemical phase, the fine MgB2 powders is obtained from a controlled solid state reaction between boron and magnesium. During the second metallurgical stage, the powders produced by the reaction are packed inside a metal tube, which then undergoes several drawing and rolling processes to produce a monofilament MgB2-based wire with the desired cross section. A variable number of monofilament wires, possibly combined with additional wire constituents, are packed inside a second tube which is then subjected to a similar manufacturing process in order to obtain the desired cross section, length and shape. The production process is completed by a heat treatment that delivers the final transport properties of the wire. The entire production process is managed using state-of-the-art process control techniques involving both skilled engineers and modern technology.