Effect of cooling rates on bare bulk and silver wrapped pellets of Bi-2223 superconductor

We have examined the effect of cooling rates on oxygen content of Bi-2223 phase samples with and without silver sheating. Two sets of samples with and without silver sheating were annealed under identical conditions and cooled with rates of 10 °C/h, 25 °C/h, 50 °C/h, 75 °C/h, and 100 °C/h. XRD examination of the samples showed that a high percentage of Bi-2223 was obtained. Microstructure examinations were performed by scanning electron microscopy. Resistive and magnetic transitions of the samples were studied. All the reported data were discussed and related.