Transport critical current measurements were performed at 77 K on bulk
silver-less (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+x ceramics textured by slow sinter-forging
process. The influences of the 85 K superconductive 2212 phase and
non-superconductive secondary phases (SrxCa1−x)2PbO4,
(Sr,Ca)14Cu24Oy and
(SrxCa1−x)2CuO3, are discussed in terms of their amounts,
their grain sizes and shapes and their distribution
among the 2223 matrix. The importance of the temperature profile
and the atmosphere the annealing that follows the sinter-forging process is
clearly demonstrated.