Thick highly textured (Bi, Pb)-2223 ceramics

Dense ceramics textured by sinter-forging exhibit superconducting properties among the best for polycrystalline bulk 2223 materials. Investigations showed that the deformation during the sinter-forging process is mainly responsible for the grain alignment of the ceramics. A sharp texture can only be obtained after a strong deformation from the starting cold-pressed powder to the final thin forged disc. To obtain thick ceramics, several thin and highly identically textured discs were linked together by an additional short sinter-forging step. Microscopic observations showed that the interface between the discs disappeared after the hot treatment. Transport critical current measurements performed at 77 K through bars of different sizes confirm that, through an equal texture, the critical current density ( ) is nearly constant with the shape of the bar section: thin or thick, narrow or wide. A ceramic composed of many stacked and sinter-forged discs allowed resistivity and to be measured along the sinter-forging axis. Low anisotropic ratios confirmed the strong link between the thin discs and a very homogeneous whole ceramic. This shape processing of bulk 2223 ceramics is thus attractive for the fabrication of current leads and limiters with high capabilities.