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 thermomechanical steps involving two-axial and eccentric rolling and sintering for between 20 h and 120 h. A commercially available BPSCCO precursor of nominal composition 2223 has been used to manufacture tapes of critical currents densities Jc exceeding 7500 A cm-2. Texturing degrees, phase content and purity were measured by x-ray diffraction and core morphology and composition were measured by scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive x-ray analysis. The results obtained confirmed the crucial role of sintering time on the texturization and phase development at the Ag/ceramic interface. The influence of process parameters on the critical current density Jc in final tapes was analysed. Sintering time, temperature and grain size development were incorporated into the analysis. (author)