The effects of fe-doping on mechanical properties in Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3-xFexOy superconductor

Bi-2223 superconductors doped with Fe2O3 at Cu-site were prepared in bulk form using high purity oxide powders via solid state reaction technique with intermediate grinding. The series of Fe stoichiometric ratio (x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10) are systematically added to Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3-xFexOy system to study the effect of Fe doping on mechanical and superconducting system properties. Vickers hardness, electrical resistivity, X-ray diffraction and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy have been carried out to assess the effects of Fe doping. These measurements indicate that the Fe doping decreased the critical temperature and deteriorated formation of high Tc phase, compared to undoped sample. Grain size of the samples were also reduced by increasing the amount of Fe and the mechanical properties were found to be escalate with the increasing of Fe concentration