Corrosion of bismuth-based superconductor wires by some atmospheric agents

Superconducting wires (SWs) were previously prepared in our group by heat t reatment of bismuth-based superconductor coatings on a metal core. This pap er presents an analysis of the corrosion process by some atmospheric agents on the SWs. SWs with different concentrations of a (Bi, Pb)-2223 phase hav e been exposed to water vapour saturated air, to pure water vapour or to dr y carbon dioxide. Each of these atmospheric agents was found to act differe ntly on the SWs. However, all the studied corrosion processes present a hig h sensitivity to the concentration of the (Bi, Pb)-2223 phase. For a higher concentration of this phase, the SWs are Less sensitive to atmospheric age nts.