We studied the growth mechanism of whiskers from alumina-containing Bi
(Pb)SrCaCuO glass plates by using thermal, in-situ high-temperature X-
ray diffraction, microstructural and compositional analyses. The Al3in the glass helps to form the complex oxide particles such as BiSrCaA
lO in the sample. These particles block the liquid phase inside the sa
mple and prevent the leakage. The whisker grows because Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2Ox
(Bi-2212) continuously precipitates from this liquid at the bottom pa
rt of the whiskers. The capillary force between the BiSrCaAlO particle
s leads the liquid to the bottom part of the whiskers. Due to this for
ce it is possible to supply the ingredient to the whisker continuously
. On the basis of the above analysis, the role of alumina was studied
in detail.