Effect of Pb content variation on microstructure and critical current density of Bi-2223/Ag superconducting tapes

The effect of Pb content variation on microstructure, phase evolution, Bi-2223 grain growth and critical current density (J(c)) of silver sheathed Bi-2223 tapes has been studied. The results indicate that high Pb content samples have higher conversion rate of Bi-2212 to Bi-2223 than low Pb content samples. However, too high Bi-2223 formation rate is not beneficial to Bi-2223 grain growth and thus the achieved critical current density in the tapes. The influence of coarse particles in precursor powder on the phase formation has also been investigated.