The effect of sintering time on structure and phase composition in monocore (Bi, Pb)2223/Ag tapes

Monocore (Bi, Pb)-2223 tapes have been made by the sequence of thermomechan ical steps involving two-axial and eccentric rolling and sintering for betw een 20 h and 120 h. A commercially available BPSCCO precursor of nominal co mposition 2223 has been used to manufacture tapes of critical currents dens ities J(c) exceeding 7500 A cm(-2) Texturing degrees, phase content and pur ity were measured by x-ray diffraction and core morphology and composition were measured by scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersi ve x-ray analysis. The results obtained confirmed the crucial role of sinte ring time on the texturization and phase development at the Ag/ceramic inte rface. The influence of process parameters on the critical current density J(c) in final tapes was analysed. Sintering time, temperature and grain siz e development were incorporated into the analysis.