The Great War

Eutectic Definition and Examples

Eutectic Definition and Examples A eutectic system is a homogeneous, solid mixture of two or more substances that form a super-lattice; the mixture either melts or solidifies at a lower temperature than the melting point of any of the individual substances. The phrase most commonly refers to a mixture of alloys. A eutectic system only forms when there is a specific ratio between the components. The word comes from the Greek words eu, meaning good or well and tecsis, meaning melting. Examples of Eutectic Systems Several examples of eutectic systems or eutectoids exist, in metallurgy and in various other fields. These mixtures typically have useful properties that are not possessed by any single constituent substance: Sodium chloride and water form a eutectoid when the mixture is 23.3% salt by mass with a eutectic point at -21.2 degrees Celsius. The system is used to make ice cream and to melt ice and snow.The eutectic point of the mixture of ethanol and water is nearly pure ethanol. The value means there is a maximum proof or purity of alcohol that can be obtained using distillation.Eutectic alloys are often used for soldering. A typical composition is 63% tin and 37% lead by mass.Eutectoid glassy metals exhibit extreme corrosion resistance and strength.Inkjet printer ink is a eutectic mixture, permitting printing at a relatively low temperature.Galinstan is a liquid metal alloy (composed of gallium, indium, and tin) used as a low-toxicity replacement for mercury. Related Terms Concepts and terms related to eutectic systems include: Eutectoid: Eutectoid refers to a homogeneous solid mixture that forms from cooling two or more melted metals to a certain temperature.Eutectic Temperature or Eutectic Point: The eutectic temperature is the lowest possible melting temperature for all of the mixing ratios of the component substances in a eutectoid. At this temperature, the super-lattice will release all of its components and the eutectic system will melt into a liquid as a whole. Contrast this with a non-eutectic mixture, in which each component will solidify into a lattice at its own specific temperature until the whole material eventually becomes solid.Eutectic Alloy: A eutectic alloy is an alloy formed from two or more components that exhibits eutectic behavior. A eutectic alloy melts at a distinct temperature. Not all binary alloys form eutectic alloys. For example, gold-silver does not form a eutectoid, as the valence electrons are not compatible with super-lattice formation.Eutectic Percentage Ratio: This is defi ned as the relative composition of the components of a eutectic mixture. The composition, particularly for binary mixtures, is often shown on a phase diagram. Hypoeutectic and Hypereutectic: These terms apply to compositions that could form a eutectoid, but do not have the appropriate ratio of component substances. A hypoeutectic system has a smaller percentage of ÃŽ ² and a greater percentage of ÃŽ ± than a eutectic composition, while a hypereutectic system has a greater percentage of ÃŽ ± and a lower percentage of ÃŽ ² than a eutectic composition.

Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and the Risks they Face in an Essay

Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and the Risks they Face in an International Environment - Essay Example In proportion to other trends of globalization, small and medium sized Enterprises are increasingly occupied in international businesses. â€Å"Foreign investments by small and medium scale enterprises have also increased† (Feyter 2011). SMEs account for a major share of exports and imports and go up to international network of production. â€Å"Small organizations have very little, if any, influence over the forces of external environment, and this can be attributed to the limited resource of the small firm† (Sha n.d). As SMEs try to internationalize, they frequently come across extensive hurdles. These hurdles are complex, and they can be from the larger, external, business environment of SMEs including barriers of trade policy; or from the internal environment of firms. â€Å"Currency fluctuations are the top concern for 49% of UK SMEs† (International Trade: Confidence Concerns and Risk for UK Smes). The various risks that small businesses face when they engag e in the international trade include credit risk, interest rate risk, country risk, and currency issue. Credit Risk- SMEs regularly complain that their competitiveness and growth are restricted by lack of access to the financing and high cost of credit. The high cost of credit remains a major constraint in the development of SMEs, although there is proof that SMEs are more concerned about the access to credit than the cost of credit. Interest rate risk arises when the business depends more on borrowed funds, or revenue generated from savings. Fluctuations in interests rates affect the total profit of the business through reduction in income from the interest or by increases in the interest expenses. Country Risk The country risks in foreign exchange trading are connected with the intervention of government in foreign exchange market. Currency Issue- Most of the international trade is carried out in dollars. This has paved way to considerable exchange risks of currency. While taking SMEs in UK as an example, thirty six percent of SMEs   business leaders of UK   who carry out international business quote ‘currency fluctuations’ (Latest Market Research Surveys 2009) as their overruling concern. In spite of fluctuations in currency being their key concern, an astonishing fifty six per cent of SME leaders admit that they do not control their financial risk. UK SMEs on trading internationally, consider problems of currency fluctuations, legislation, problems in payment, pricing, language barrier, time limitations, and cultural differences. Aims and Objectives 1. To identify the risks faced by SMEs by way of international trading 2. To provide solutions to lessen the risks aroused from international trade Methodology The data for this business report is gathered from secondary sources like journals and articles published, and from different texts. â€Å"Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem† (Research Metho dology: An Introduction 1978). Primary sources are not used, as data collection from the SMEs of different countries as a whole is not possible. Secondary sources include data that are collected and gathered for a further purpose. The secondary sources include not only reports and records that are published, but also unpublished records, including different registers and records kept by organizations and firms like