Constructing phase diagrams for Cu-As-(Ni, Sb) alloys
Sulphosalts, from which copper (Cu) is extracted, are characterised by high concentrations of arsenic (As), nickel (Ni) and antimony (Sb). However, the properties of Cu-As-(Ni, Sb)-based alloys are poorly understood. As no phase diagrams exist for these ternary alloys, their material characteristics remain largely unknown. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ASCUNISB project focuses on the physicochemical properties of Cu extracted from sulphosalts. The project constructs phase diagrams for Cu-As-(Ni, Sb) alloys by studying each phase of the alloy and identifying unknown phases. ASCUNISB also lays the groundwork for new applications, reduces economic and environmental costs, and provides a database to help address pressing research questions by evaluating early metal technologies dating back to around 2300 BC.