The melting behaviour of the lead-doped 2223 phase in the bismuth oxide sys
tem has been investigated by using DTA, XRD and EPMA techniques. The result
s indicated that 2223 phase began to decompose into liquid, (Ca, Sr)(2)CuO3
and (Sr, Ca)(14)Cu24O41 phases when fired at T greater than or equal to 86
0 degrees C in air. The liquid composition is located on the line between 2
212 and 2201 phases. When the liquid was cooled in air, 2212 and 2201 phase
s crystallized from it. (C) 1998 Kluwer Academic Publishers.