Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 (2212) superconducting whiskers can be grown out from an
annealed melt-quenched precursor plate in an atmosphere of flowing ox
ygen. It was found that other than the appropriate annealing temperatu
re and time, glass precursor, flowing oxygen atmosphere and temperatur
e gradient in the furnace are vital factors. The relaxation of interna
l strain in the melt-quenched precursor provides the driving force for
the whisker growth. Flowing oxygen atmosphere and temperature gradien
t both play the role of mass transport and accelerate the whisker grow
th rate.