Limiting current mechanisms of Bi2223 wires in magnetic fields

Controlled overpressure (CT-OP) processing eliminates pores and heals cracks, which densifies the Bi2223 filaments and increases the critical current of Ag-sheathed Bi2223 wire. High current capacity wires with critical current values around 210 A at 77 K and self-field have been achieved. The enhancement of the current capacity seems to be due to reducing the weak links between Bi2223 grains and improving the flux pinning. In order to understand the mechanisms for transport critical current in Bi2223 wires, the dependence of the critical current on magnetic field and temperature has been investigated. The critical current is measured as a function of the perpendicular and parallel magnetic fields, up to 12 T, at temperatures ranging from 4.2 to 90 K. These results indicate that higher critical current is associated with highly textured and well connected Bi2223 grains. To further improve a critical current of Bi2223 wires, it is necessary to decrease the misalignment angle and reduce the fraction of Bi2212 and secondary phases