Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3Oz superconducting materials were prepared by react
ing lead oxide or presynthesized lead-containing compounds (Ca2PbO4, B
i1.6Pb0.4CuOz) with Sr-Ca-Cu-O oxides in which the Sr : Ca : Cu ratios
were adjusted to those of 2223, 2212, and Sr1-xCaxCuOz. We also prepa
red Bi1.65Pb0.35Sr1-yCayCu2Oz (y = 1.0, 1.5, 1.9) materials and examin
ed their reaction with heat-treated and unheat-treated mixtures of oxi
des and carbonates taken in amounts corresponding to the overall stoic
hiometry of 2223. The content of 2223 was determined from x-ray diffra
ction measurements, and the volume fraction of superconductivity was e
valuated from magnetization data. To assess the critical parameters, w
e also recorded the resistive transition. Long-term firing yielded nea
rly single-phase 2223 materials with C-s = 60 +/- 5% and T-cf = 99-104
g. The use of precursors was found to accelerate formation of 2223 in
comparison with the synthesis from simple oxides and carbonates.