Effect of Ag on the primary phase field of the high-Tc (Bi,Pb)-2223 superconductor

The subsolidus equilibria and the primary phase field (crystallization field) of the 110 K high-T-c (Bi,Pb)-2223 ([Bi,Pb]:Sr:Ca:Cu) phase have been determined in the presence of Ag under a 92.5% Ar/7.5% O-2 atmosphere (volume fraction). A total of 29 six-phase volumes that include both the (Bi,Pb)-2223 and Ag phases was observed. These subsolidus volumes are similar to those observed without the presence of Ag. The compositional range of initial melts of these volumes (mole fraction basis) covers BiO1.5 from 5.6% to 25.3%, PbO from 0.4% to 13.8%, SrO from 8.4% to 31.9%, CaO from 12.2% to 33.3%, CuO from 21.7% to 40.9%, and AgO0.5 from 1.2% to 6.3%. Based on these data, the primary crystallization field for the (Bi,Pb)-2223 phase in the presence of Ag was constructed using the convex hull technique. A section through this "volume" was portrayed by holding the AgO0.5, SrO, and CaO components at the median value of the 29 compositions while allowing projection on the other three axes (BiO1.5, PbO, and CuO). The net effect of Ag on the melt composition is a reduction in the PbO concentration and an increase in the SrO content. Applications of the liquidus data are also discussed.