The sintering process of BSCCO 2223 tapes is a complex process that is very sensitive to parameters, such as temperature, oxygen partial pressure, heating and cooling rate and holding time. During the first heat treatment, 2212 phase of precursor powder is partially transformed into 2223 phase and some residual secondary phases, such as $(Bi,Pb)_2$$Sr_2$CuO／sub y／(2201), $(Ca,Sr)_2$CuO／sub y／(2/1AEC), (Ca,Sr)／sub 14／Cu／sub 24／O／sub 41／(14／24 AEC) etc. The secondary phases are difficult to be removed from the BSCCO 2223 matrix on the heat treatment. These secondary phases degrade the critical current density. In order to minimize the amount and size of alkaline earth cuprate(AEC) particles step heat treatment is applied during the first heat treatment under the varying atmosphere. Experimental results showed that by adapting the step heat treatment process, the amount and particle size of the secondary phases in the final tapes are decreased. Consequently, the BSCCO 2223grain texture and Jc properties are improved.