The effect of high temperature plastic flow on the superconducting transition in A15 compounds

Low temperature heat capacity measurements have been made on hot isostatically pressed Nb₃Sn and arc cast, homogenized, and A15 transformation annealed V-23.3 at. pct Ga and V-18.1 at. pct Ga. The heat capacity measurements display the superconducting transition temperature (T _c), and have been used to evaluate the effects of plastic deformation on theT _c range. Plastic deformation to the extent of 15 pct compression at 1525 and 1650 °C does not alter the superconducting transition in polycrystalline Nb₃Sn. Plastic deformation to the extent of 15 pct compression at 1050 and 1200 °C does not alter the superconducting transition in polycrystalline V-23.3Ga, transformed to A15 structure with a fifty-hour 1150 °C anneal. The same statement can be made for A15 V-18.1Ga, deformed at 1050 °C after a fifty-hour, 1150 °C anneal. With onlyfive hours annealing at 1150 °C, A15 V-23.2Ga displays a lowering and broadening of theT _c range upon 1050 and 1200 °C plastic deformation. With onlyfive hours annealing at 1150 °C, A15 V-18.1Ga displays a broad, but increasedT _c range after plastic deformation at 1050 °C.