Step Sintering Process Research Articles

The optimum percentage of Pb and the appropriate thermal procedure for the preparation of the 110 K Bi2-xPbxSr2Ca2Cu3Oy superconductor

The high-Tc phase (110 K) of the Bi2-xPbxSr2Ca2Cu3Oy system has been synthesised and the role of Bi/Pb substitution has been studied extensively using X-ray diffraction studies, electrical resistivity and magnetisation measurements and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the best results were obtained for x=0.2-0.3 and that a 'step sintering process' is necessary for a better control of the thermal process.