HIGH CRITICAL CURRENTS IN BI-2223 PHASE BARS

The critical current I(c) and the critical current density J(c) of Bi- 2223 phase bars have been found to depend on the mass density of the b ars. Bars densified using a cold isostatic pressing (CIPing) process h ave been obtained with transport critical currents of > 150 A with J(c ) levels up to almost-equal-to 10(3) A cm-2 at 77 K in the absence of an applied magnetic field. Bending or kinking of the grains may promot e densification during CIPing of a sintered bar.