Studies of the Bi(2223) Phase Formation Mechanism in Pb Substituted and Pb Free Bulk Samples and in Ag Sheathed Tapes

From the study of the Bi(2223) phase formation mechanism on pressed pellets of the Pb stabilized (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+d compound it was concluded that a nucleation and growth mechanism is suitable to describe the transformations occurring in air. This was concluded from observation by SEM of the transformations occurring on a fixed location at the surface of a pellet after several heat treatments at the reaction temperature, 852°C.