Microstructure and critical current of hot-pressed (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 ceramics

Bulk samples of (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 were sintered for different times and then isothermally pressed at 850-degrees celsius under a constant pressure of 15 MPa for 1 hour. Critical temperature, mass density and critical current density were measured using EDS, XRD and scanning electron microscopy. The removal of voids in the materials under pressure and high temperature resulted in a significant increase in mass density.