Reduction of AC losses applying novel resistive interfilamentary carbonate barriers in multifilamentary Bi(2223) tapes

Hysteresis losses and coupling losses, a main component of the AC losses in Bi(2223) tapes, can effectively be reduced by enhancing the resistivity of the matrix material between the filaments and applying a filament twist. Since through alloying the sheath, as using AgAu(8 wt.%), the resistivity can only be raised by a factor < 10 (77 K), a new conductor configuration with a quite novel composite matrix having resistive SrCO3 barriers inside the Ag matrix between the filaments was developed. These new barriers, a cheap and commercial material, withstand the tape annealing, do not react with the superconductor, sinter dense and have a good bonding to Ag. Applying two different preparation techniques for 19 filament prototype tapes, critical current densities up to 20.7 kA cm(-2) were achieved. We report on tape preparation, the effect on the phase texture and the superconducting properties of such barrier tapes. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.