Performance evolution of Nb3Sn cable-in-conduit conductors under cyclic load

Two subsize, Nb3Sn cable-in-conduit conductors, are tested as short samples in the SULTAN test facility. Transverse load is applied by sweeping up and down the operating current in high background field. A serious performance loss of I, and n-factor is observed upon cyclic load, with a drop of the critical current, I-c, larger than 30%. The results are critically discussed and compared to similar findings from the literature. The impact of the cyclic load on the Nb3Sn CICC performance must be carefully evaluated in the magnet design.