Superconducting powders were synthesised by solid-state reaction. They
were ball-milled, and pressed into pellets. It was found that particl
e size prior to sintering has a substantial influence on the propertie
s of Bi-based bulk superconductors, such as reactivity, phase homogene
ity and T-c values. Powders of fine particle size were found to show l
ow T-c values.