skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Effect of lead loss and sheath structure on phase formation and alignment in (Bi,Pb){sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 10+{delta}}/Ag composite conductors

Journal Article · · Journal of the American Ceramic Society

The effects of metallic constituent evaporation and sheath structure on grain growth and alignment in silver-sheathed (Bi,Pb){sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 10+{delta}} (Bi-2223)/Ag composites have been investigated by inductively coupled plasma/atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP/AES), X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Specimens of Bi-2223/Ag composites fabricated by the oxide-powder-in-tube technique were peeled (opened) lengthwise to expose the ceramic powder core, and then heat-treated in 0.075 atm of oxygen for selected temperatures and times. The results were compared with those for as-processed samples with closed silver sheaths treated under identical conditions. ICP/AES analysis indicated that lead was the only metallic element to undergo substantial evaporation during annealing of opened samples. The lead-release process in parallel with the Bi-2223 formation reaction had an activation energy of {approximately}25 kJ/mol. Lead loss from the opened samples resulted in incomplete conversion to Bi-2223. The combined results show that the silver sheath effectively prevents evaporative lead loss, preserves and promotes densification, and induces texturing of the layered phases.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
131545
Journal Information:
Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Vol. 78, Issue 10; Other Information: PBD: Oct 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English