Formation of bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide superconductors

A method for forming a Bi2212 article, the method comprising:

• mixing a plurality of metallic precursor powders comprising bismuth, strontium, calcium and copper in an oxygen-free atmosphere;
• mechanically alloying the metallic precursor powders in an oxygen-free atmosphere to form a metallic precursor alloy;
• heating the metallic precursor alloy according to a temperature profile comprising a ramp-up stage during which the metallic precursor alloy is heated to a peak temperature in an oxygen-free atmosphere, a dwell stage during which the metallic precursor alloy is held at the peak temperature for a dwell time, and a ramp-down stage during which the metallic precursor alloy is cooled from the peak temperature;
• and
• during at least a portion of the dwell stage, switching the oxygen-free atmosphere to an oxygen-inclusive atmosphere, wherein the metallic precursor alloy is oxidized to form a superconducting oxide,
• wherein at least a portion of the temperature profile during oxidation or following oxidation is effective for sintering the superconducting oxide.