Representations about nature of processes occurring in the material at different stages of Bi(Pb)–Sr–Ca–Cu–O ceramic manufacture

The state of material and processes occurring in material during synthesis of bismuth HTSC ceramic are analyzed in this article. Special attention is given to the mechanism of Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3Oy (2223) phase synthesis and processes resulting in its intensification, as well as to the processes responsible for superconducting grain contacts formation. A scheme of structural and phase transformation at sintering is proposed. The known mechanisms of 2223 phase formation are included in the proposed scheme as its stages which can occur with various degree of probability depending on features of concrete technology of bismuth ceramic’s synthesis. Numerous experimental results are explained by proposed combination of processes that occur during synthesis of bismuth ceramic. C 2006 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc