Critical currents in Ag sheathed tapes of the 2223-phase in (Bi,Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O

The critical current density of Ag-sheathed (Bi,Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O tapes with thicknesses below 0.2 mm exhibiting the 2223 phase has been systematically studied for various compositions and oxygen contents of the surrounding atmosphere. Various sequences of the final thermochemical treatment leading to a textured structure were also examined. Conditions for obtaining a high degree of texturing in Ag-sheathed tapes were found, yielding J_c values up to 17.500 A/cm² at 77 K, 0 T. A major factor for the improvement of J _c by the present cold deformation approach was the thickness of the 2223 layer, which should be smaller than 20 μm. Due to the large number of parameters involved in the optimization of this system and to the complex formation conditions, a substantial further increase of J_c in the 2223 phase is still expected. This is particularly important in view of the use of 2223 tapes at 4.2 K and at high magnetic fields