Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
The phases present around the (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox (2223) phase between 830–880 °C have been studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) methods. The decomposition and melting temperatures of the 2223 phase in these samples have been measured by the differential thermal analysis (DTA) method. Partial substitution of Bi with Pb (Pb: Bi = 3: 22) does not change the 850 °C phase relations around 2223 phase. 2223 decomposes to liquid, Sr7Ca7Cu24O41 (7724), and Ca2CuO3 at 875 °C. The invariant reactions (degree of freedom is zero) among 2223, 7724, Ca2CuO3, CuO, Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 (2212), and liquid were proposed to be L + 7724 + Ca2CuO3 → 2223 + 2212, L + 7724 + Ca2CuO3 → 2223 + CuO, L + 7724 → 2223 + 2212 + CuO. The reaction temperatures were estimated to be 860 °C, 860 °C, and 854 °C, respectively. An invariant reaction scheme and a tentative liquidus projection were sketched out.