• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2021

Rice Husk Ash (RHA) geopolymer paste activated by sodium aluminate were characterized by X-ray diffractogram (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersion X-Ray analysis (EDAX)and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Five series of RHA geopolymer specimens were prepared by varying the Si/Al ratio as 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5. The paper focuses on the correlation of microstructure with hardened state parameters like bulk density, apparent porosity, sorptivity, water absorption and compressive strength. XRD analysis peaks indicates quartz, cristobalite and gibbsite for raw RHA and new peaks corresponding to Zeolite A in geopolymer specimens. In general, SEM micrographs show interconnected pores and loosely packed geopolymer matrix except for specimens made with Si/Al of 2.0 which exhibited comparatively better matrix. Incorporation of Al from sodium aluminate were confirmed with the stretching and bending vibration of Si-O-Si and O-Si-O observations from the FTIR analysis of geopolymer specimen. The dense microstructure of SA2.0 correlate into better performance in terms of 28 days maximum compressive strength of 16.96 MPa and minimum for porosity, absorption and sorptivity among the specimens. However, due to the higher water demand to make the paste workable, the value of porosity, absorption and sorptivity were reportedly higher as compared with other geopolymer systems. Correlation regression equations were proposed to validate the interrelation between physical parameters and mechanical strength. RHA geopolymer shows comparatively lower compressive strength as compared to Fly ash geopolymer.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.109-118
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• 2021

In the periodic surveillance material test for the spacer component of fuel channel assembly in CANDU, a microstructural characterization analysis is required in addition to the mechanical property evaluation test. In this study, detailed microstructure analysis and simple mechanical property evaluation of archive spacer parts were conducted to indirectly support the surveillance test and assist in the study of spacer material degradation. We investigated the microstructural characteristics of the spacer garter spring coil through comparative analysis with the plate material. The main microstructure characteristics of the garter spring coil X-750 are represented by the fine grain size distribution, the ordering phase distribution developed inside the matrix, the high dislocation density inside the grains, and the arrangement of coarse carbides. In addition, the yield strength of the garter spring coil X-750 was indirectly evaluated to be approximately 1 GPa. We also established an analytical method to elucidate the microstructural evolution of the radioactive spacer garter spring coil X-750 based on Canadian research experiences. Finally, we confirmed the measurement technique for helium bubble formation through TEM examination on the helium implanted X-750 material.

• International Journal of Safety
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.6-9
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• 2009

The crack in a J85 engine V.G. actuator arm shaft for a bell crank on the engine compressor was investigated. The crack was observed in twenty two shafts during the inspection of 238 shafts. The failure analysis of shaft cracks was performed by chemical composition analysis using ICP(Inductively Coupled Plasma) and by fracture surface and microstructure analysis using FE-SEM and optical microscope. The crack initiated from the top and bottom and propagated to the center along the grain boundaries. From the chemical composition analysis, the fractography of the fracture surface and the microstructure, it was found that the failure mechanism of the shafts is the inclusion-related intergranular decohesion crack. The inclusion was found out from MnS particle by EDS(Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy). The crack initiated MnS inclusion in the grain boundary and propagated with the increase of applied shear stress during long operation. In order to prevent the fracture, NDI(Nondestructive inspection) is needed periodically as recommended.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.381-390
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• 2015

Investigating the microstructure of hardened cement mixtures with the aid of advanced technology will help the concrete industry to develop appropriate binders for durable building materials. In this paper, morphological, mineralogical and thermogravimetric analyses of autoclave-cured mixtures incorporating ground dune sand and ground granulated blast furnace slag as partial cementing materials were investigated. The microstructure analyses of hydrated products were conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermo-graphic analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The SEM and EDX results demonstrated the formation of thin plate-like calcium silicate hydrate plates and a compacted microstructure. The DTA and TGA analyses revealed that the calcium hydroxide generated from the hydration binder materials was consumed during the secondary pozzolanic reaction. Residual crystalline silica was observed from the XRD analysis of all of the blended mixtures, indicating the presence of excess silica. A good correlation was observed between the compressive strength of the blended mixtures and the CaO/$SiO_2$ ratio of the binder materials.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.177-182
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• 2020

In this study, the effect of nanofibers in cement pastes on the compressive and tensile strength of hardened cement pastes was studied. Two types of nanofibers, nylon 66 nanofibers and carbon nanotube-nylon 66 hybrid nanofibers, were manufactured by electrospinning methodology and mixed in cement powder respectively. The specimens for experiments were prepared by water to cement ratio of 0.5 and cured in water for 28 days. The effect of nanofibers on the increase of the compressive and tensile strength were confirmed by the experimental results. The well-linking effect of nanofibers in the microstructure of the hardened cement pastes has been found by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis and well-explained for the increase in mechanical strength. Besides, field emission transmission electron microscope (FE-TEM) analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) have also been conducted to analyze the properties of nanofibers as well as the microstructure of the hardened modified cement pastes.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.305-312
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• 2021

This study examines the damage to the submarine's escape trunk hatch spring through microstructure analysis. The cause of the escape trunk's damage during the submarine's construction and its improvement measures were reviewed. To determine the cause of breakage of the escape trunk spring, samples were taken from the damaged product and analyzed for chemical composition, hardness, and microstructure. In particular, the breakage part of the spring was analyzed in-depth by using a scanning electron microscope to determine the cause of corrosion destruction. Finally, a spring shape design method was proposed through the investigation of the cause of spring breakage. In addition, a newly improved spring was produced by applying a nylon coating with excellent corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance. Applying to an actual submarine trunk hatch revealed that the coating peeling phenomenon due to the contact between the springs is significantly improved when the hatch is opened or closed compared to the existing products.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.173-176
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• 2009

A great emphasis has been placed on the design of heat treatment process to achieve desired microstructure and mechanical property of final product. In this study, finite element analysis was carried out to predict temperature, microstructure and hardness of eutectoid steel after water quenching. Convective heat transfer coefficients were determined by inverse analysis using surface temperatures measured with three different installation methods of thermocouples. Finally, the effect of convective heat transfer coefficients on the prediction of temperature history and hardness was analyzed by comparing experimental and simulation results.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.575-582
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• 2000

This investigation was designed to determine whether heat-pressing and/or simulated heat treatments affected the flexure strength and the microstructure of the lithium disilicate glass-ceramic in the IPS Empress 2 system. Four groups of the specimens were prepared as follows: group 1 - as-received material, group 2 - heat-pressed material; group 3 - heat-pressed and simulated initial heat-treated material; group 4 - heat-pressed and the simulated heat-treated material with full firings for a final restoration. The three-point bending test and the scanning elec-tron microscope (SEM) analysis was conducted for the purpose of this study. The flexure strength of group 2 was significantly higher than that of group 1. However, there were no significant differences in strength among group 2, 3, and 4, and between group 1 and 4. The SEM micrographs of the lithium disilicate glass-ceramic showed the closely packed, multi-directionally interlocking microstructure of numerous lithium disilicate crystals protruding from the glass matrix. The crystals of the heat-pressed materials (group 2, 3, and 4) were a little denser and about two times bigger than those of the as-received material (group 1). This change of microstructure is more obviously exhibited particularly between group 1 and 2. However, there was no a marked difference among group 2, 3, and 4 after the heat-pressing procedure. Although there were significant increase of the strength and some changes of the microstructure after the heat-pressing operation, the combination of the heat-pressing and the simulated subsequent heat treatments did not produce the increase of strength of IPS Empress 2 glass-ceramic.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.4 s.19
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• pp.70-78
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• 2004

A study has been made to investigate the high temperature deformation behavior of Ti-6Al-4V alloyand to predict the final microstructure under given forming conditions. Equiaxed and $Widmanst\ddot{a}tten$ microstructures of Ti-6Al-4V alloys were prepared as initial microstructures. By performing the compression tests at high temperatures$(700\~1100^{\circ}C)$ and at a wide range of strain rates$(10^{-4}\~10^2/s)$, various parameters such as strain rate sensitivity(m) and activation energy(Q) were calculated and used to establish constitutive equations. When the specimens were deformed up to strain 0.6, equiaxed microstructure did not show any significant changes in microstructure, while $Widmanst\ddot{a}tten$ microstructure revealed considerable flow softening, which was attributed to the globularization of a platelet at the temperature range of $800\~970^{\circ}C$ and at the strain rate range of $10^{-4}\~10^{-2}/s$. To predict the final microstructure after forming, finite element analysis was performed considering the microstructural evolution during the deformation. The grain size and the volume fraction of second phase of deformed body were predicted and compared with the experimental results.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.652-657
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• 2017

The use of continuous welded rail is increasing because of its many advantages, including vibration reduction, enhanced driving stability, and maintenance cost savings. In this work, two different types of continuous welded rails were examined to determine the influence of repeated wheel-rail contact on the crystal structure, microstructure and mechanical properties of the rails. The crystal structure was determined by x-ray diffraction, and the microstructure was examined using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Tensile and microhardness tests were conducted to examine the mechanical behaviors of prepared specimens taken from different positions in the cross section of both newly manufactured rail and worn rail. Analysis revealed that both the new and worn rail had a mixed microstructure consisting of ferrite and pearlite. The specimens from the top position of each rail exhibited decreased lamella spacing of the pearlite and increased yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and hardness, as compared with those from other positions of the rail. It is thought that the enhanced mechanical property on the top position of the worn rail might be explained by a mixed effect resulting from a directional microstructure, the decreased lamella spacing of pearlite, and work hardening by the repeated wheel-rail contact stress.