Evaporation losses of Bi, Sr, Cu and Pb during processing of Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-oxide (BPSCCO) superconductors were observed, which affected the superconducting properties. Incongruent loss of Bi, Sr, Cu and Pb was reduced by covering the pellets by excess BPSCCO powder during sintering and formation of the 2223 phase was observed to be enhanced. Formation of low temperature eutectic by silver addition was observed to accelerate the rate of evaporation. Lower temperature processing was required for fabrication of high quality Ag sheathed BPSCCO tapes.