Tensile strain dependence of electromechanical characteristics of high-current, (Hic) and high-strength, (Hs) type Ag/Bi2223 composite tapes measured at room temperature, RT and 77K is investigated. Mechanical strength of composites revealed strain-hardening signature in Bi2223 filaments due to plastic strain above the elastic limit. Critical current, Ic maintained constant value up to the elastic limit then decreased slowly before finally dropped to about 10 at 0.19 and 0.39 strain, signaling a three-stage limitation. Microstructure observations and electromechanical response of the composites suggest that limited longitudinal, transverse, interfacial, granular and transgranular microcracks formed during gradual imposition of strain hardening in Bi2223 filaments may be responsible for the slow reduction of Ic in the initial mechanical stage. © 2006 Materials Research Society.