The alignment of Bi(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O near the Ag-(Bi(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O) interface in silver-sheathed multifilamentary Bi(Pb)(2)Sr2Ca2Cu3O

The Ag-(Bi(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (BSCCO)) interface region has been studied by sca nning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to a distanc e of 2 mum away from the silver in the Ag-sheathed multifilamentary Bi(Pb)( 2)Sr2Ca2Cu3O (Bi(Pb)-2223) tapes. Owing to undulation of the silver surface , silver was found to play an important but not always positive role in the alignment of BSCCO grains. Based on the kink angle variation, the effectiv e thickness of multifilamentary Bi(Pb)-2223 tapes capable of carrying a lar ge current has been defined. We believe that the difference in effective th ickness is the key reason leading to different critical current densities J (c) for these tapes.