Phase alignment in Ag-clad Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (2:2:1:2) wires

Powder‐in‐tube wires that contained Bi, Sr, Ca, and Cu in a 2:2:1:2 mole ratio were drawn then rolled flat before processing. The superconducting phase was aligned with its c axis perpendicular to the wide plane of the wire by sintering the wires just below the melting point and by melt processing. Melt processing with slow cooling of the melt yielded the most alignment. Gravity did not influence alignment during melt processing.