Influence of B4C-doping and high-energy ball milling on phase formation and critical current density of (Bi,Pb)-2223 HTS

• Published in: Physica. C, Superconductivity Superconductivity, 2018-05, Vol.548, p.86-89
• Main Authors: Margiani, N.G., Mumladze, G.A., Adamia, Z.A., Kuzanyan, А.S., Zhghamadze, V.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: (Bi,Pb)-2223 phase; B4C-doping; Ball milling; Critical current density; Critical temperature; Electrical resistivity
• ISSN: 0921-4534; 1873-2143
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physc.2018.02.025

•The effects of the B4C addition and dry planetary ball milling on the phase formation, microstructure and transport properties of Bi1.7Pb0.3Sr2Ca2Cu3Oy HTS have been investigated.•The results obtained suggest that the boron carbide has to be considered as a promising dopant for enhancing the formation kinetics and current-carrying capability of (Bi,Pb)-2223 phase.•It has been shown that the Jc values of B4C-added (Bi,Pb)-2223 HTS can be further increased by using a planetary ball milling treatment of precursor powders. In this paper, the combined effects of B4C-doping and planetary ball milling on the phase evolution, microstructure and transport properties of Bi1.7Pb0.3Sr2Ca2Cu3Oy(B4C)x HTS with x = 0 ÷ 0.125 were studied through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), resistivity and critical current density measurements. Obtained results have shown that B4C additive leads to the strong acceleration of high-Tc phase formation and substantial enhancement in Jc. High-energy ball milling seems to produce a more homogeneous distribution of refined doped particles in the (Bi,Pb)-2223 HTS which results in an improved intergranular flux pinning and better self-field Jc performance.