In order to elucidate the formation mechanism of the Bi, Pb(2223) phase, extensive investigations have been performed by means of combined differential thermal analysis and thermo-gravimetric measurements, X-ray diffraction as well as scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis.
Starting from co-precipitated oxalate powders, the transformations leading to the formation of the Bi, Pb(2223) phase were studied. Based on these investigations the Bi, Pb(2223) phase formation process, involving the Bi, Pb(2212), Ca 2 PbO 4 and alkalineearth cuprate phases as precursors has been separated into elemental steps. A new model for the formation mechanism of the Bi, Pb(2223) phase will be presented.
The Bi, Pb(2223) phase formation kinetics has been studied using the Avrami relation for isothermal phase transformations. The analysis of the Bi, Pb(2223) phase evolution revealed a marked change of the Avrami exponent during the course of the Bi, Pb(2223) phase formation after about 12 hours sintering at 857 • C.
The activation energy for the formation of the Bi, Pb(2223) phase has been determined under various experimental conditions. The nominal composition of the precursor powders, the temperature at which they were calcined as well as the size of their constituents were found to have a significant influence on the value of the activation energy.