Effect of silver on phase formation and superconducting properties of Bi-2223/Ag tapes

Transmission electron microscopy is used to analyze the effect of silver (Ag) on the superconducting properties and phase formation of Ag-clad Bi2223 superconducting tapes. The influence os Ag is studied with respect to the interface microstructure, bend strain tolerance, magnetoresistance, pinning energy and phase growth. Results indicate that the presence of Ag lowers the tapes' annealing temperature while accelerating the formation of the Bi-2223 phase. However, it also causes gain misorientations and reduces the tapes' superconductivity.