$SnO_2$ thin films were prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering on glass substrates and then vacuum annealed for 30 minutes at 100, 200, and $300^{\circ}C$, respectively. The thickness of films kept at 100 nm by controlling the deposition rate. While the optical transmittance and electrical resistivity of as deposited $SnO_2$ films were 82.6% in the visible wavelength region and $1.9{\times}10^{-3}{\Omega}cm$, respectively, the films annealed at $200^{\circ}C$ show the increased optical transmittance of 84.5% and the electrical resistivity also decreased as low as $8.5{\times}10^{-4}{\Omega}cm$. From the observed results, it is concluded that post-deposition vacuum annealing at $200^{\circ}C$ is an attractive condition to optimize the opto-elecrtical properties of $SnO_2$ thin films for the opto-electrical applications.

Influence of trace amount of Ca addition on the corrosion resistance was comparatively investigated in solutionized Mg-4%Zn and Mg-4%Zn-0.1%Ca alloys. In as-cast state, the alloys were characterized by primary ${\alpha}-(Mg)$ dendrite with MgZn intermetallic compound particles. After solution-treatment, both alloys consisted of single ${\alpha}-(Mg)$ phase by dissolution of the compound particles into the matrix. It was found from the immersion and electrochemical corrosion tests that the Mg-4%Zn alloy had better corrosion resistance than the Mg-4%Zn-0.1%Ca alloy. Morphological and compositional analyses on the surface corrosion products indicate that the incorporation of Ca oxide with low PBR value into the surface corrosion products would be responsible for the decreased corrosion resistance of the Ca-containing alloy.

In this study, a microstructural investigation was conducted on the cracking phenonmenon occurring during hot rolling of Fe-23Mn high-manganese steels with different aluminium and carbon contents. Particular emphasis was placed on the phase stability of austenite and ferrite dependent on the chemical composition. An increase in the aluminum content promoted the formation of ferrite band structures which were easily deformed or cracked. In the steels containing high carbon contents of 0.4 wt.% or higher, on the other hand, the volume fraction and thickness of ferrite bands decreased and thus the cracking frequency was significantly reduced. Based on these findings, it is said that the microstructural evolution occurring during hot rolling of high-manganese steels with different aluminium and carbon contents plays an important role in the cracking phenomenon. To prevent the cracking, therefore, the formation of second phases such as ferrite should be minimized during the hot rolling by the appropriate control of the chemical composition and process parameters

The variation in microstructure and mechanical properties during heat treatment was examined in a series of 0.27% C-1.0% Si-1.5% Mn steels with chromium contents in the range of 0 to 1.0 wt%. It was found that chromium decreased the martensite packet size through the austenite grain refinement and increased tensile strength in the as-quenched steel, about 70 MPa per 1.0 wt%. The 0.27% C-1.0% Si-1.5% Mn-1.0% Cr steel showed tensile strength of 1700 MPa in the as-quenched steel. The 0.27% C-1.0% Si-1.5% Mn-1.0% Cr steel revealed a full martensitic structure after air cooling from $900^{\circ}C$ to room temperature, showing air hardening characteristics. Tempering at $150^{\circ}C$ slightly decreased the tensile strength and increased elongation, which is in a good agreement with impact toughness result.