  The performance and cost of Bi-2212/Ag wire is limited by the large fraction
of silver matrix (~3:1) that is required in the oxide-powder-in-tube
fabrication process. An alternative fabrication process is being developed in
which fine-powder Bi-2212 is uni-axially compressed to form bars with a thin Ag
foil sheath. The fine powder naturally textures (aligns the a-b planes
perpendicular to the direction of compaction) with texture >80% using 200 MPa
compression. A billet is formed by stacking trapezoidal-cross-section bars in a
symmetric 8-12-16 pattern around a Ag rod and enclosing in a Ag-wall extrusion
can. The billet is extruded and drawn to fine wire. Results are presented on
present status of the development and testing.
