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MgB2 vs Nb3Sn

RANKED BY CRITICAL TEMPERATURE TC AT AMBIENT PRESSURE (KELVIN) #6 VS #8 CHECKED 06 SEPT 2026

Side by side

Verdict

MgB2 ranks #6 of 8 on Critical temperature Tc at ambient pressure (kelvin) (39 K); Nb3Sn ranks #8 (18.3 K).

Rank 06 of 8 · leads

MgB2

Critical temperature Tc at ambient pressure (kelvin)

39 K

MakerAkimitsu group

Date2001

Verified04 Sept 2026

Evidence

Nagamatsu, Nakagawa, Muranaka, Zenitani, Akimitsu, Nature 410, 63–64 (2001): superconductivity at 39 K in magnesium diboride at ambient pressure. Binary intermetallic; widely replicated and used in wires.

Rank 08 of 8

Nb3Sn

Critical temperature Tc at ambient pressure (kelvin)

18.3 K

MakerMatthias / Bell Labs

Date1954

Verified04 Sept 2026

Evidence

Matthias, Geballe, Geller, Corenzwit, Phys. Rev. 95, 1435 (1954): superconductivity in Nb3Sn near 18 K. Modern wire-grade Nb3Sn is quoted at 18.0–18.3 K ambient. Still the workhorse A15 conductor for high-field magnets.

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More MgB2 matchups

Source Peer-reviewed papers: Nature 365, 323 (1993); Phys. Rev. Lett. 60, 2539 (1988); Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 27, L209 (1988); Chin. Phys. Lett. 25,… Last checked 06 Sept 2026

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