Tests of the FRESCA2 100 mm bore Nb$_3$Sn block-coil magnet to a record field of 14.6 T

International audienceThe Nb$_3$Sn block coil dipole magnet FRESCA2 was developed within the framework of a collaboration between CEA Saclay and CERN, in the continuity of the European project EuCARD and EuCARD2. With an aperture of 100 mm and a target bore field of 13 T at 10.6 kA, the magnet is required for a new FRESCA2 cable test facility at CERN. In 2017, the magnet was pre-loaded to retain the forces while the magnet was powered to achieve 13.3 T in the magnet bore. Results of these tests were published. In 2018, the loading of the magnet has been increased for powering to higher current. In this paper, the updated results of the cold powering tests are discussed in terms of training, memory, and stable operation. The loading of the magnet and the mechanical measurements during cooldown are shown and compared to the earlier loading steps. The protection of the magnet is further reviewed and measured results are compared to the model simulations