Phase equilibria and solidification of Mg-rich Al-Mg-Si alloys

The solidification and solid-state phase equilibria of four Al-Mg-Si alloys containing 30-70%Mg and 0.5-3.5%Si, selected on the basis of an isothermal section of the Al-Mg-Si system calculated at 300 °C, have been investigated. Solidification paths of Mg-rich Al-Mg-Si alloys finish on ternary eutectics and the temperatures of two of these eutectic reactions, i.e. L↔(Al)+β+ Mg2Si and L↔(Mg)+γ+ Mg2Si, have been determined to be at ~ 448 °C and ~ 436 °C respectively by DTA. The characteristic temperatures recorded on the DTA curves are analysed and a linear relationship is found between the peak temperature and the square root of the scanning rate

Impact of the key determinants of a distributed planning process on the performance of a supply chain

International audienceIn today's highly competitive world, firms try to maximize value for their customers and other stakeholders through the effective management of their supply chains. Given that performance measurement considerably affects the actions of firms' decision makers, it is increasingly important to understand the key factors that can significantly affect the performance of the supply chain. Using analytical models and simulations, this article aims to identify and analyse the key determinants (both financial and nonfinancial) of a distributed planning process that affect the performance of the supply chain. The identified determinants are discussed with respect to three performance dimensions: efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness. Our results show that different combinations of the determining factors have varying positive or negative effects on these three performance dimensions