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The effect of Ni additions on the peritectic reaction and phase formation in the Sn-10wt.%Cu alloy is investigated through cooling curve analysis, in situ synchrotron observation during alloy solidification, and microstructural analysis of as-cast alloy by optical and electron microscopy. More specifically, this study examined the effect of Ni to determine whether Cu 3 Sn can be completely suppressed. The results showed that the addition of Ni in the range of 0.06wt.%-1 wt.% completely suppressed the formation of primary Cu 3 Sn phase, and instead Cu 6 Sn 5 directly nucleates from the melt. It is proposed that increasing the amount of Ni decreases the amount of Cu 3 Sn until it is completely suppressed by shifting the Cu 3 Sn phase boundaries, such that Cu 6 Sn 5 forms throughout the microstructure. The results from this study provide an opportunity to better understand the solidification behaviour of Sn-10Cu alloys with Ni additions.

SummaryAustralia's prospects to become a key energy exporter in the Asia-Pacific region has driven rapid development and expansion of its coal seam gas (CSG) industry, particularly in regional Queensland, Australia. The vast majority of Australia's current CSG developments and reserves are situated in agriculture-rich, cattle-grazing regions; therefore, it is critical to identify symbiotic relationships between agri-based industries and the CSG industry to achieve beneficial coexistence. The CSG industry has generated infrastructure such as gas and water pipelines, water storage and treatment facilities, transportation and electricity networks, and other CSG-associated services (e.g., accommodation, education, and medical facilities), which have the potential to improve regional communities and facilitate economic growth. This article aims to investigate these coexistence opportunities, including the use of by-products (mainly water produced during CSG extraction), infrastructure, and services generated from the CSG industry, which can provide value to the local industries. Focusing on the cattle value chain, the authors suggest an agri-based industrial coexistence model that indicates material-water flows and optimized utilization of infrastructure that not only promote coexistence between the agribusiness and CSG industries, but expand the cattle value-chain productivity in rural Queensland. A water balance has been conducted around the suggested coexistence model with the aim of quantifying water flows, to indicate the supply versus demand scenario associated with CSG-sourced water production. The results of the water balance indicate that CSG water supply has the potential to meet the requirements of agribusiness promoting industries. Keywords:cattle value chain coal bed methane coal seam gas energy-food nexus gas & agricultural coexistence industrial ecology Supporting information is linked to this article on the JIE website

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Sn-Cu alloys have generated interest as potential candidates for high-temperature soldering applications, as they are economically feasible and environmentally safe. Sn-Cu alloys with copper contents beyond 7.6wt.% solidify with a primary Cu3Sn phase, followed by peritectic and eutectic reactions. Typically, phases which form as elongated needles are undesirable, as they tend to be more brittle and in turn reduce the strength and toughness of the alloy. The effect of Zn on the peritectic reaction and phase formation in a Sn-10wt.%Cu alloy is investigated through cooling curves and microstructural analysis using optical and electron microscopy. Zn was alloyed in the range of 0.1-1wt.% to the base Sn-10Cu alloy system. The results indicate that the amount of the primary Cu3Sn phase that forms is inversely proportional to the concentration of Zn. Although complete suppression of Cu3Sn was not observed, there was a clear effect of Zn reducing the amount of the primary Cu3Sn phase, with the greatest reduction of Cu3Sn occurring with a 1wt.% Zn addition. The reduction of the elongated needle-shaped primary Cu3Sn phase may find application in the development of more reliable bulk solder microstructures.