• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.252-259
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• 2021

The magnesium is one of the important alloying elements in the conventional aluminum alloys. The addition of magnesium to aluminum is well known to increase the mechanical strength of the aluminum without the trade-off of the decreased elongation. However, the content of magnesium in aluminum alloys has been limited to be lower than about 5wt.% because of the high oxidation tendency of magnesium element during the manufacturing processes such as casting, hot-forming and post heat-treatments, which can deteriorate the quality and properties of the final products. In this study, new 'ECO-Almag6~9' (containing 6~9wt%Mg) alloys were investigated to be made of the ECO-Mg master alloy, which has been invented to reduce the oxidation tendency of itself. It was successfully demonstrated that ECO-Almag6~9 alloys can be fabricated through the mass-production facilities of DC casting and extrusion routes without the problems of magnesium oxidation. In addition, it was confirmed that the strength and ductility were simultaneously improved due to the addition of high magnesium contents.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.155-162
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• 2010

Bone is a hierarchically structured composite material which has been well studied by the materials engineering community because of its unique structure and mechanical properties. Bone is a laminated organic-inorganic composite composed of primarily hydroxyapatite, collagen and water. The main mineral that gives bone's hardness is calcium phosphate, which is also known as hydroxyapatite. Light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to study the structure of femurs from chicken and rabbit. The elemental analysis was used to search variation in the distribution of calcium, potassium and oxygen in the femur. Current investigation focused on two structural scales: micro scale (arrangement of compact bone) and nano scale (collagen fibril and apatite crystals). At micro scale, distinct difference was found in microstructures of chicken femur and rabbit femur. At nano scale, we analyzed the shape and size of apatite crystals and the arrangement of collagen fibril. Consequently, femurs of chicken and rabbit had very similar chemical property and structures at nano scale despite of their different species.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.382-389
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• 2019

A novel folding process is proposed using a repeated cold-die forging and annealing to form a sterling silver ring. Sterling silver plate was cut into a doughnut shape, and lattices with 0.43-mm line-width were imprinted on it. The sample was folded by forging using dies with slopes of $45^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, and $75^{\circ}$ and annealing. For comparison, samples were also fabricated without annealing. Strain was identified by measuring the length of lattices. Vernier calipers, a Vickers hardness tester, an optical microscope, and a UV-VIS colorimeter were used to determine the size, hardness, microstructure, and body color. Without annealing, cracks occurred. However, successful deformation was possible when annealing was used. The results of macro strain measurements show that the outer diameter and width decreased, while the inner diameter and thickness increased after the final process. The maximum strain was increased 0.128 toward the parallel direction. The Vickers hardness decreased after annealing and increased after the folding process. The microstructure results showed that the grain size increased after annealing but decreased after folding. The color difference based on the Lab index was under 10 for all processes. Eventually, a doughnut-shaped silver plate was successfully deformed into a ring shape by the folding process.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2011

Ni-YSZ (Yttria Stabilized Zirconia) composite powders were fabricated by glycine nitrate process. The prepared powders were sintered at $1300{\sim}1400^{\circ}C$ for 4 h in air and reduced at $1000^{\circ}C$ for 2 h in a nitrogen and hydrogen atmosphere. The microstructure, electrical conductivity, thermal expansion and mechanical properties of the Ni-YSZ cermets have been investigated with respect to the volume contents of Ni. A porous microstructure consisting of homogeneously distributed Ni and YSZ phases together with well-connected grains was observed. It was found that the open porosity, electrical conductivity, thermal expansion and bending strength of the cermets are sensitive to the volume content of Ni. The Ni-YSZ cermet containing 40 vol% Ni was ascertained to be the optimum composition. This composition offers sufficient open porosity of more than 30 %, superior electrical conductivities of 917.4 S/cm at $1000^{\circ}C$ and a moderate average thermal expansion coefficient of $12.6{\times}10^{-6}^{\circ}C^{-1}$ between room temperature and $1000^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.217-233
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• 2022

The remains found in Geumcheok-ri, Gyeongju are located in close proximity to the Ancient Tombs in Geumcheok-ri, Gyeongju (Historic Site) which were built between the late 5th and early 6th centuries, and these tombs are known to belong to the powerful rulers of that area. Using metallurgical techniques, this study was conducted on the iron objects obtained from the excavated remains in Geumcheok-ri, Gyeongju which are presumed to have a close relation to the nearby ruins that played an important role in the growth of Silla. To identify differences in manufacturing techniques based on the purpose of the iron objects, eight objects were selected after classifying them by use and the microstructure and non-metallic inclusions were investigated. The analyses results confirmed that the manufacturing process involved forging iron with a high or low carbon content to produce a particular shape, and that the carburization process was applied to iron post forging a shape to increase its strength when necessary. The mechanical properties were improved by selectively applying the steelmaking method and the heat treatment technique considering the functions of the parts, and the low temperature reduction was applied to the smelting process. Furthermore, in comparison with the iron objects excavated from the remains located in the center of Gyeongju and its outskirts, it is confirmed that there is similarity in the smelting and manufacturing techniques between these objects.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.279-285
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• 2023

In order to predict the mechanical properties of ductile cast iron heat treated in an intercritical temperature range, samples machined from cast iron with a tensile strength of 450 MPa were heat-treated at various intercritical temperatures and air-cooled, after which a microstructural analysis and Brinell hardness test were conducted. As the heat treatment temperature was increased in the intercritical temperature range, the ferrite fraction in the ductile cast iron decreased and the pearlite fraction increased, whereas the nodularity and nodule count did not change considerably from the corresponding values in the as-cast condition. The Brinell hardness values of the heat-treated ductile cast iron increased gradually as the heat treatment temperature was increased. Based on the measured alloy composition, the fraction of each stable phase and the hardness model from the literature, the hardness of the ductile cast iron heat treated in the intercritical temperature range was calculated, showing values very similar to the measured hardness data. In order to check whether it is possible to predict the hardness of heat-treated ductile cast iron by using the phase fraction obtained from thermodynamic calculations, the volumes of graphite, ferrite, and austenite in the alloy were calculated for each temperature condition. Those volume fractions were then converted into areas of each phase for hardness prediction of the heat-treated ductile cast iron. The hardness values of the cast iron samples based on thermodynamic calculations and on the hardness prediction model were similar within an error range up to 27 compared to the measured hardness data.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.163-171
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• 2024

SCR420H steel is a low-carbon chromium alloy steel designed for carburizing heat treatment. Recently, research is being conducted on high-temperature carburization heat treatment to reduce costs and CO₂ emissions by shortening the carburization time to meet the international carbon neutral policy. However, this high-temperature carburization heat treatment coarsens the steel grains and causes a decrease in mechanical properties. In this study, a large amount of Ti was added to increase the grain refinement effect in the high-temperature carburizing process. We investigated the microstructure and precipitates of SCR420H steel without Ti (Al steel) and with Ti (AlTi steel). Thermodynamic calculations showed that the AlN and (Ti,Nb)(C,N) precipitated in Al steel, while (Ti,Nb)(C,N) and Ti₄C₂S₂ precipitated in AlTi steel. Addition of Ti increases the fraction of bainite after reheating process. Transmission electron microscopy analysis shows that small amounts of AlN and (Ti,Nb)(C,N) precipitates are formed in the Al steel. The addition of Ti increases the density of (Ti,Nb)(C,N) precipitates and induces the formation of Ti₄C₂S₂ precipitates, increasing the grain coarsening temperature (GCT) under all heat treatment conditions. Higher reheating temperatures also resulted in higher GCT values due to increased precipitation.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.155-162
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• 2024

SCr420H steel which is commonly utilized for automotive components requires the carburizing heat treatment process. Abnormal grain growth during this treatment significantly affects the mechanical properties of the steel parts. Consequently, a process designed to prevent abnormal grain growth at certain elevated temperatures is essential. For enhanced grain refinement, we considered the addition of Nb in SCr420H steel. The experimental condition of the carburizing heat treatment involved reheating the steel sample to temperatures between 940℃ and 1080℃. Using scanning electron microscopy, we examined the microstructure of specimens treated with the secondary solution, revealing an organization of bainite and ferrite. Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to determine the type, shape, and size of the carbonitrides, showing a high fraction of AlN at the secondary solution treatment temperature of approximately 1050℃ and of (Nb,Ti)(C,N) around 1200℃. AlN particles measured about 100 nm and (Nb,Ti)(C,N) about 50 nm. Optical microscopy was utilized to assess grain size variations at different secondary solution treatment temperatures. It is noted that the temperature at which abnormal grain coarsening occurred rose with increasing secondary solution treatment temperatures, indicating a greater influence of (Nb,Ti)(C,N) with higher heat treatment temperatures. This research provides reference data for preventing abnormal grain growth in Nb-added low alloy steels undergoing carburizing heat treatment.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.1047-1053
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• 2016

In this study, welding of pure titanium was carried out by using a continuous wave fiber laser with a maximum output of 6.3 kW. Because brittle regions form easily in titanium as a result of oxidation or nitriding, the weld must be protected from the atmosphere by using an appropriate shielding gas. Experiments were performed by changing the type and the flow rate of shielding gases to obtain the optimal shielding condition, and the weldability was then evaluated. The degree of oxidation and nitriding was distinguished by observing the color of beads, and weld microstructure was observed by using an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The mechanical properties of the weld were examined by measuring hardness. When the weld was oxidized or nitrified, the bead color was gray or yellow, and the oxygen or nitrogen content in the bead surface and overall weld tended to be high, as a result of which the hardness of the weld was thrice that of the base metal. A sound silvery white bead was obtained by using Ar as the shielding gas.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-31
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• 2019

The rich recipe of ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) offers the higher mechanical, durability and dense microstructure property. The variable like cement/sand ratio, amount of supplementary cementitious material, water/binder ratio, amount of fiber etc. alters the UHPC hardened properties to any extent. Therefore, to understand the effects of these variables on the performance of UHPC, inevitably a stage-wise development is required. In the present experimental study, the effect of sand/cement ratio, the addition of finer material (fly ash and quartz powder) and, hybrid fiber on the fresh, compressive and microstructural property of UHPC is evaluated. The experiment is conducted in three phases; the first phase evaluates the flow value and strength attainment of ingredients, the second phase evaluates the efficiency of finer materials (fly ash and quartz powder) to develop the UHPC and the third phase evaluate the effect of hybrid fiber on the flow value and strength of ultra high performance hybrid fiber reinforced concrete (UHP-HFRC). It has been seen that the addition of fly ash improves the flow value and compressive strength of UHPC as compared to quartz powder. Further, the usage of hybrid fiber in fly ash contained matrix decreases the flow value and improves the strength of the UHP-HFRC matrix. The dense interface between matrix and fiber and, a higher amount of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) in fly ash contained UHP-HFRC is revealed by SEM and XRD respectively. The dense interface (bond between the fiber and the UHPC matrix) and the higher CSH formation are the reason for the improvement in the compressive strength of fly ash based UHP-HFRC. The differential thermal analysis (DTA/TGA) shows the similar type of mass loss pattern, however, the amount of mass loss differs in fly ash and quartz powder contained UHP-HFRC.