Effect of starting precursor powders on microstructural development and critical current density properties of BSCCO 2223 tapes Original Research Article

Bi-2223/Ag tapes with different lead content (Pb=0.2–0.4) powders were fabricated. The microstructural development and Jc properties were studied with starting precursor powder prepared in different conditions. The experimental results indicate that the variations of lead content extremely influence the reactivity of precursor powders, which is closely related to the formation rate of 2223 phase, microstructure and Jc values of Bi-2223/Ag tapes. In addition, the particle size distribution of precursor powders has a large effect on the transport properties. By optimizing these powder parameters, Jc values above 60,000 A/cm2 (77 K, 0 T) in short tapes were achieved.