Formation of high-temperature superconducting phase (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+δ in functional materials (ceramics and composite tapes)

The review is devoted to the kinetics and mechanisms of formation of the superconducting polycrystalline phase (Bi,Pb)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_10+δ. Data on the stability of this phase and its homologues are generalized. Methods of investigation of phase formation and microstructure formation in composite tapes are considered. The results of studies on the evolution of the phase composition during the manufacturing of composite tapes are presented. The crystallization models for the superconducting phase (Bi,Pb)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_10+δ, the kinetics and the limiting stages of crystallization are considered. A possible reaction scheme for the formation of (Bi,Pb)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_10+δ is proposed. The effect of phase formation on the transport properties of tapes is briefly discussed.