Chemical aspects of the formation of microcomposites Chemical aspects of the formation of microcomposites based on superconducting cuprates are considered. The materials based on superconducting cuprates are considered. The materials are composed of a superconducting ceramic matrix and micro-or are composed of a superconducting ceramic matrix and micro-or nanoinclusions of the non-superconducting phase, which are nanoinclusions of the non-superconducting phase, which are uniformly distributed in the matrix. Requirements on the operat-uniformly distributed in the matrix. Requirements on the operating characteristics of the superconducting ceramics are described ing characteristics of the superconducting ceramics are described and routes to high critical current densites are outlined. Phase and routes to high critical current densites are outlined. Phase equilibria in the generic systems are considered. Physical and equilibria in the generic systems are considered. Physical and chemical criteria for the choice of phases that can form non-chemical criteria for the choice of phases that can form nonsuperconducting inclusions are proposed. Methods of prepara-superconducting inclusions are proposed. Methods of preparation and the microstructures and superconducting properties tion and the microstructures and superconducting properties of the composites based on cuprates RBa of the composites based on cuprates RBa 2 2 Cu Cu 3 3 O O 7 77 7d d (R is the (R is the rare-earth element) and on Bi rare-earth element) and on Bi 2 2 Sr Sr 2 2 CaCu CaCu 2 2 O O 8+ 8+d d and and (Bi,Pb) (Bi,Pb) 2 2 Sr Sr 2 2 Ca Ca 2 2 Cu Cu 3 3 O O 10+ 10+d d are considered. The bibliography are considered. The bibliography includes 247 references includes 247 references. .