The thermal stability field of Bi2Sr3Cu3O8 in the Bi-Sr-Cu-O system ha
s been investigated using an apparatus for combined high-temperature X
-ray powder diffraction and optical microscopy. Bi2Sr3Cu2O8 starts to
decompose at 910 +/- 2 degrees C and changes into Bi4Sr8Cu5Ox through
a transient state of melting and subsequent solidification. Bi4Sr8Cu5O
x decomposes into SrCuO2 at 915 +/- 2 degrees C with increasing amount
s of the liquid phase, and becomes 3 completely liquid state above 101
0 +/- 2 degrees C. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.