• Advances in nano research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.365-374
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• 2024

This study delves into the significant impact of integrating nanomaterials, specifically carbon and graphene nanoparticles, into the polymer matrix of aluminum alloy 356, utilizing the vortex casting technique, with the aim of improving the mechanical properties of table tennis equipment. Athletes and their coaching teams have long been on a quest for high-performance sports gear, recognizing its pivotal role in unlocking the full potential of players. The dedication of engineers to craft designs, select materials with precision, and uphold stringent testing standards reflects the commitment to meeting the demands of the sporting world. Yet, to remain at the forefront, sports engineering must continually align with contemporary technologies, and nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative force in this regard. This study not only underscores the meticulous efforts in material integration but also highlights the remarkable strides made possible by nanotechnology. Aluminum nanocomposites, particularly, showcase a groundbreaking fusion of exceptional strength and reduced weight, marking a notable achievement in sports equipment innovation. The research outcomes are compelling, revealing a substantial enhancement in the mechanical performance of the sports structures under scrutiny. This promising development hints at a potential paradigm shift in the manufacturing of sports equipment, promising a new era of elevated athlete performance and enhanced safety during the rigors of physical education training. This study stands as a testament to the tangible impact of nanotechnology on the ever-evolving landscape of sports equipment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.81-88
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• 2012

Turbopump is a key component in liquid rocket engines, and reducing weight while maintaining structural safety is one of the major concerns of turbopump designers. To reduce the weight aluminium alloy castings instead of steel casings are introduced. The casting process is especially useful for enhancement of productivity and for reduction of product costs. But, since castings are used in space vehicle engines, reliability cannot be compromised. Therefore, proper design, production process and thorough investigation should be performed to ensure structural integrity. In this study inlet casings for a fuel pump were casted with A356.0-T6 alloy and using one of them a burst test was conducted to ensure structural integrity. Structural analysis is performed for simulation, and with multiple strain gages strains are measured and compared with predictions.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.294-301
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• 2023

The effects of Cu on feeding and macro-porosity characteristics were investigated in hypo- (A356 and 319) and hypereutectic (391) aluminum-silicon alloys. T-section and Tatur tests showed that the feeding and macro-porosity characteristics were significantly different between the hypo- and hypereutectic alloys. The hole and the pipe in the T-section and the Tatur casting in hypereutectic alloy showed a rough and irregular shape due to the faceted growth of the primary silicon, while the results of the hypoeutectic alloys exhibited a rather smooth surface. However, the addition of Cu did not strongly affect the macro-feeding behavior. It is known that copper segregates and interferes the feeding process in the last stage of solidification, possibly leading to form more amount of micro shrinkage porosity by the addition of Cu. The macro porosity formation mechanism and feeding properties were discussed upon T-section and Tatur tests together with an alloying addition.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.28-38
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• 2010

High temperature high cycle and low cycle fatigue deformation behavior of automotive heat resistant aluminum alloys (A356 and A319 based) were investigated in this study. The microstructures of both alloys were composed of primary Al-Si dendrite and eutectic Si phase. However, the size and distribution for eutectic Si phase varied: a coarse and inhomogeneous distributed was observed in alloy B (A319 based). A brittle intermethallic phase of ${\alpha}-Fe\;Al_{12}(Fe,Mn)_3Si_2$ was detected only in B alloy. Alloy B exhibited high fatigue life only under a high stress amplitued condition in the high cycle fatigue results, whereas alloy A showed high fatigue life when stress was lowered. With regard to the low-cycle fatigue result ($250^{\circ}C$) showing higher fatigue life as ductility increased, alloy A demonstrated higher fatigue life under all of the strain amplitude conditions. Fractographic observations showed that large porosities and pores near the outside surface could be the main factor in the formation of fatigue cracks. In alloy B. micro-cracks were formed in both the brittle intermetallic and coarse Si phasese. These micro-cracks then coalesced together and provided a path for fatigue crack propagation. From the observation of the differences in microstructure and fractography of these two automotive alloys, the authors attempt to explain the high-temperature fatigue deformation behavior of heat resistant aluminum alloys.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.431-438
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• 1998

Microstructure of A356 aluminum alloys cast in the permanent mold was investigated by optical microscope and image analyzer, with particular respect to the shape and size distribution of iron intermetallics known as ${\beta}-phase$ ($Al_5FeSi$). Morphologies of the ${\beta}-phase$ was found to change gradually with the Be:Fe ratio like these. In Be-free alloys, ${\beta}-phase$ with needlelike morphology was well developed, but script phase was appeared when the Be:Fe ratio is above 0.2:1. With the Be:Fe ratios of 0.4:1-1:1, script phase as well as Be-rich phase was also observed. In case of higher Be addition, above 1:1, Be-rich phase was observed on all regions of the specimens, and increasing of the Be:Fe ratios gradually make the Be-rich phase coarse. It was also observed that the ${\beta}-phase$ with needlelike morphology was coarsened with increase of the Fe content in Be-free alloys. However, in Be-added alloys, length and number of these ${\beta}-phases$ were considerably decreased with the increased Be:Fe ratio. Beryllium addition improved tensile properties and impact toughness of the A356 aluminium alloy, due to the formation of a script phase or a Be-rich phase instead of a needlelike ${\beta}-phase$. The DSC tests indicated that the presence of Be could increase the amount of Mg which is available for $Mg_2Si$ precipitate hardening, and enhance the precipitation kinetics by lowering the ternary eutectic temperature.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.139-142
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• 2002

This study presents a mathematical model predicting the stress-strain behavior of fiber reinforced (FMMCs) and fiber/particle reinforced metal matrix composites (F/P MMCs). MMCs were fabricated by squeeze casting method using Al2O3 short fiber and particle as reinforcement, and A356 aluminum alloy as matrix. The fiber/particle ratios of F/P MMCs were 2:1, 1:1, 1:2 with the total reinforcement volume fraction of 20 vol.%, and the FMMCs were reinforced with 10 vol,%, 15 vol. %, 20 vol. % of fibers. Tensile tests were conducted and compared with predictions which were derived using laminate analogy theory and multi-failure model of reinforcements. Results show that the tensile strength of FMMCs with 10 vol.% of fiber was well matched with prediction, and as the fiber volume increases, predictions become larger than experimental results. The difference between the prediction and experiment is considered to be a result of matrix allowance of fiber damage in tensile loading. As the fiber volume fraction in FMMCs increases, the fiber damage increases and so that the tensile strength is reduced. The strength of F/P MMCs approaches more closely to the prediction than FMMCs reinforced with 20 vol.% of fibers because F/P MMCs contains small quantity of fibers and thus has a positive effect in fiber strengthening.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.109-113
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• 2002

A good fluidity of high strength Al-alloys is required to cast thin wall castings needed to reduce the weight of cast parts. The fluidity, measured as the length to which the metal flows in a standard channel, is affected by many factors, such as the pouring temperature, solidification type of the alloy, the channel thickness, melt head, mold materials and temperature, coating etc. Therefore the experimentally measured fluidity scatters very much and makes it difficult to estimate the fluidity of a melt with a few measurements. The effect of Ti content and grain refinement on the fluidity of high strength aluminum alloy was investigated with a test casting with 8 thin flow channels to reduce the scattering of the fluidity results. The fluidity of Al-4.8%Cu-0.6%Mn Al-6.2%Zn-1.6%Mg-1.0%Cu and well-known commercial aluminum alloy, A356 was tested. Initial content of Ti was varied from 0 to 0.2wt% and Al-5Ti-B master alloy was added for grain refinement. The flow length varied linearly with superheat. By adding Ti and Al-5Ti-B, the fluidity increased. The grain size decreased by adding grain refiner at the same time. The fluidity depended on the degree of grain refinement. The fluidity of the alloy solidifying in mushy type is improved by grain refinement, because grain refinement increases the solid fraction at the time of flow stoppage.