Using an unbiased structure searching method, a new orthorhombic Cmmm structure consisting of ZrIr12 polyhedron building blocks is predicted to be the thermodynamic ground-state of stoichiometric intermetallic Ir₂Zr in Ir-Zr systems. The formation enthalpy of the Cmmm structure is considerably lower than that of the previously synthesized Cu₂Mg-type phase, by ~107 meV/atom, as demonstrated by t...

Nickel and aluminum powders were mechanically alloyed with 10 or 30 vol.% refractory metal powders (molybdenum or tungsten) for times up to 50 h. Intermetallic synthesis takes place after lo-20 h alloying, with concomitant dispersion of the inert refractory metal phase, resulting in an NiAl matrix containing fine refractory dispersoids. The reactive synthesis step is direct, without intermediat...

The effect of Yttrium addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Sn-Zn eutectic alloy, which has been attracting intensive focus as a Pb-free solder material, was investigated in this study. Phase equilibrium has been calculated by using FactSage® to evaluate the composition and fraction of equilibrium intermetallic compounds and construct a phase diagram. In the case of Sn-8.8...

A new concept to circumvent some of the problems that are hindering a rational metallic catalyst development is introduced. Investigation of conventional metal catalysts – which consist of supported metals, metal mixtures or alloys – is handicapped by the presence of a variety of active sites, their possible agglomeration, metal-support interactions as well as segregation of the components. In ...

Sn3Ag0.5Cu0.06Ni0.01Ge solder BGA packages with Ag/Cu pads are investigated. After reflow, scallop-shaped ␩-Cu 6 Sn 5 and continuous planar ␩-(Cu 0.9 Ni 0.1) 6 Sn 5 intermetallics appear at the interfaces of the Sn3Ag0.5Cu and Sn3Ag0.5Cu0.06Ni0.01Ge solder joints, respectively. In the case of the Sn3Ag0.5Cu specimens, an additional ␧-Cu 3 Sn intermetallic layer is formed at the interface betwee...

The structurally well-defined intermetallic compounds PdGa and Pd3Ga7 constitute suitable catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of acetylene. The surface properties of PdGa and Pd3Ga7 were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ion scattering spectroscopy and CO chemisorption. Catalytic activity, selectivity and long-term stability of PdGa and Pd3Ga7 were investigated under diff...

We present initial results of investigation of influence of impurities on magnetic properties of lanthanides intermetallic compounds. We study impurity effect on the REPd2T3 hexagonal compounds which are interesting for various types of magnetic ordering and other effects such as heavy-fermion behavior. In the first stage we studied Pr compounds, which are reported to be nonmagnetic due to crys...

The effects of a third element, namely silver, copper, zinc, or antimony, on the microstructure and mechanical properties of eutectic tin-bismuth (Sn–Bi) solder were investigated. The investigation showed that, except for zinc, the addition of a trace amount of the third element improves the ductility of the Sn–Bi solder owing to the formation of a fine, homogeneous ternary eutectic microstruct...

Intermetallic phases have been known as a realm of “endless wonders”, whose expansion can be tracked first through the thick volumes of Pearson’s Handbook of Crystal Data on Intermetallic Phases of the 1990s to online crystal structure databases whose scale is measurable only in disk space. The structural data in these resources has shaped many of our views about the solid state. For example, w...