• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.859-870
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• 2013

The paper summarizes the irradiation test and post-irradiation examination (PIE) data for the U-Mo low-enriched fuel that was irradiated in the MIR reactor under the RERTR Program. The PIE data were analyzed for both full-size fuel rods and mini-rods with atomized powder dispersed in Al matrix as well as with additions of 2%, 5% and 13% of silicon in the matrix and ZrN protective coating on the fuel particles. The full-size fuel rods were irradiated up to an average burnup of ${\sim}60%^{235}U$; the mini-rods were irradiated to an average burnup of ${\sim}85%^{235}U$. The presented data show a significant increase of the void fraction in the U-Mo alloy as the U-235 burnup rises from ~ 40% up to ~ 85%. The effect of irradiation test conditions and U-235 burnup were analyzed with regard to the formation of an interaction layer between the matrix and fuel particles as well as generation of porosity in the U-Mo alloy. Shown here are changes in distribution of U fission products as the U-235 burnup increases from ~ 40% up to ~ 85%.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.292-300
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• 2008

Dental implant system is composed of abutment, abutment screw and implant fixture connected with screw. The problems of loosening/tightening and stability of abutment screw depend on surface characteristics, like a surface roughness, coating materials and friction resistance and so on. For this reason, surface treatment of abutment screw has been remained research problem in prosthodontics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the stability of TiN and WC coated dental abutment screw, abutment screw was used, respectively, for experiment. For improving the surface characteristics, TiN and WC film coating was carried out on the abutment screw using EB-PVD and sputtering, respectively. In order to observe the coating surface of abutment screw, surfaces of specimens were characterized, using field emission scanning electron microscope(FE-SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy(EDS). The stability of TiN and WC coated abutment screw was evaluated by potentiodynamic, and cyclic potentiodynamic polarization method in 0.9% NaCl solution at $36.5{\pm}1^{\circ}C$. The corrosion potential of TiN coated specimen was higher than those of WC coated and non-coated abutment screw. Whereas, corrosion current density of TiN coated screws was lower than those of WC coated and non-coated abutment screw. The stability of screw decreased as following order; TiN coating, WC coating and non-coated screw. The pitting potentials of TiN and WC coated specimens were higher than that of non-coated abutment screw, but repassivation potential of WC coated specimen was lower than those of TiN coated and non-coated abutment screws due to breakdown of coated film. The degree of local ion dissolution on the surface increased in the order of TiN coated, non-coated and WC coated screws.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.193-193
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• 2011

To obtain ceramic films, the sol-gel coating technique has been broadly used with heat treatment, but crack formation tend to occur during heat treatment in thick sol-gel films. We prepared PZT thin films by sol-gel method with single-step spin coating process. The PZT solution have been synthesized using lead acetate ($Pb(CH_3COO)_2$), zirconium acetylacetonate ($Zr(OC_3H_7^n)_4$), and titanium diisopropoxide bis(acetylacetonate) 75wt% in isopropanol ($Ti(OC_3H_7^i)_2(OC_3H_7^n)_2$) as starting materials and n-propanol was selected as a solvent. The poly(vynilpyrrolidone) (PVP) was added with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 molar ratios to control viscosity of solution. We investigated influence of the viscosity on thickness, microstructure, and electrical properties of final PZT films. Thermo-gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimeter (TGA/DSC) was carried out from room temperature to $800^{\circ}C$ in order to measure pyrolysis temperature. Structural characteristics were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Ferroelectric and dielectric properties were measured by RT66A (Radiant) and impedance analyzer (Agilent), respectively. The thicknesses of PZT films depended on incorporation of an excess amount of PVP. Finally, we obtained PZT films of good quality without crack formation via single-step spin coating.

• Journal of Power System Engineering
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.60-65
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• 2008

This study aims at investigating the wear properties of thermally sprayed $Al/Al_2O_3$ metal matrix composite(MMC) coating against different counterparts. $Al/Al_2O_3$ MMC coatings were fabricated using a flame spray system on an Al 6061 substrate. Dry sliding wear tests were performed using the sliding speeds of 0.2m/s and the applied loads of 1 and 2 N. AISI 52100, $Al_2O_3$, $Si_3N_4\;and\;ZrO_2$ balls(diameter: 8mm) were used as counterpart materials. Wear properties of $Al/Al_2O_3$ MMC coatings were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope(SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). It was revealed that wear properties of $Al/Al_2O_3$ composite coatings were much influenced by counterpart materials. In the case of AISI 52100 used as counterparts, the wear rate of composites coating layer increased according to the increase of the applied load. On the contrary, in the case of ceramics used as counterparts, the wear rate of composites coating layer decreased according to the increase of the applied load.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.115-147
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• 2023

The Fukushima accident in 2011 revealed some major flaws in traditional nuclear fuel materials under accidental conditions. Thus, the focus of research has shifted toward "accident tolerant fuel" (ATF). The aim of this approach is to develop fuel material solutions that lead to improved reactor safety. The application of protective coatings on the surface of nuclear fuel cladding has been proposed as a near-term solution within the ATF framework. Many coating materials are being developed and evaluated. In this article, an overview of different zirconium-based alloys currently in use in the nuclear industry is provided, and their performances in normal and accidental conditions are discussed. Coating materials proposed by different institutions and organizations, their performances under different conditions simulating nuclear reactor environments are reviewed. The strengths and weaknesses of these coatings are highlighted, and the challenges addressed by different studies are summarized, providing a basis for future research. Finally, technologies and methods used to synthesize thin-film coatings are outlined.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2015.08a
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• pp.177.2-177.2
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• 2015

Nano-mechanics 연구는 기판의 나노표면에 대하여 indenter tip을 직접 인가하여 측정함으로써 기존 분광학 연구에서는 불가능했던 박막의 기계적 특성 연구가 가능하다. 그러나 박막분석 특성상 박막의 표면, 기판 또는 하부 박막에 의한 영향으로 인해 박막의 고유한 물성특성 연구에 제약이 있다. 박막 표면에 의한 영향인 표면효과는 nano-indentation을 실행 할 때 tip의 압입으로 발생되는 표면의 스트레스로 인해 표면 변형이 나타나는 현상이다. 반면에 하부 박막과 기판에 의한 오류는 nano-indentation 실행 시 tip의 압입 깊이가 깊어질수록 하부박막 또는 기판과 가까워지기 때문에 박막 고유의 특성이 아닌 하부박막과 기판에 의한 영향이 같이 나타나는 현상이다. 이러한 오류를 최소화 하고자 많은 연구에서는 박막의 강도에 따라 nano-indentation의 실행 깊이를 박막 총 두께의 최소7%에서 최대 50%까지 삽입하는 방법을 도입하였다. 이를 기반으로 본 연구는 Zirconium nitride (ZrN) 박막의 증착된 두께 깊이만큼 nano-indentation 분석을 실행 하였으며 박막 고유의 nano-mechanics 특성을 연구 하였다. ZrN 박막은 hard coating 분야에 많이 사용되는 물질로 박막 고유의 hardness를 연구하는 것이 큰 의미가 있다. 연구 결과 모든 박막은 두께 30% 깊이 측정에서 박막 표면과 기판효과가 최소화된 박막의 물성 측정이 가능 하였고, 증착 시 질소를 0.5, 1, 2 sccm 흘려준 박막들은 총 두께 30% 깊이에서 hardness가 각각 23.2, 8.6, 18 GPa이었다. 따라서 nano-indenter 측정 시 유효한 측정 깊이에서 측정을 실시하는 것이, 박막의 물성분석에 있어서 대단히 중요함을 확인 하였다.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.263-268
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• 2014

Nanocrystalline diamond(NCD) coated SiC balls were applied in a ball-on-disk tribometer. After seeding in an ultrasonic bath containing nanometer diamond powders, $2.2{\mu}m$ thick NCD films were deposited on sintered 3 mm diameter SiC balls at $600^{\circ}C$ in a 2.45 GHz microwave plasma CVD system. Bare $ZrO_2$ and SiC balls were prepared for comparison as test balls. Tribology tests were performed in air with pairs of three different balls and mirror polished steel(SKH51) disk. The wear tracks on balls and disks were examined by optical microscope and alpha step profiler. Under the load of 3 N, the friction coefficients of steel against $ZrO_2$, SiC and NCD-coated balls were between 0.4 and 0.8. After a few thousands sliding laps, the friction coefficient of NCD-coated balls dropped from 0.45 to below 0.1 and maintained thereafter. Under a higher load of 10 N or 20 N with a long sliding distance of 2 km, $ZrO_2$ and SiC balls exhibited the similar friction coefficients as above. The friction coefficient of NCD-coated balls was less than 0.1 from the beginning and increased to above 0.1 steadily or with some fluctuations as sliding distance increased. NCD coating layers were found worn out after long duration and/or high load sliding test, which resulted in the friction coefficient higher than 0.1.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2003

We collected the domestic and foreign half-mirror coating lens for sunglasses. Their reflectance is measured using Spectrophotometer in order to analysis their optical property and the result which is calculated using Macleod program was compared with measured reflectance. In addition, we designed the new half-mirror coating lens with gold color using TiN material and investigated the optical property of the new half-mirror coating lens. The results obtained from analysis of half-mirror coating lenses are as follow : Two-tone half-mirror coating with silver color is fabricated with [air|$SiO_2$(or $Al_2O_3$)|Cr|glass]. The role of $SiO_2$(or $Al_2O_3$) on Cr improve the hardness of the lens and the thickness of the $Al_2O_3$ with 10 nm is good to show the lens silver color. Incase of color half-mirror coating lens. Blue system is designed by [air|$SiO_2$(66.3)|$TiO_2$(129.0)|$SiO_2$(62.9)|$SiO_2$(26.0)|$TiO_2$(120.3)|$SiO_2$(9.1)|glass], gold system [air|$SiO_2$(60.6)|$TiO_2$(86.2)|$SiO_2$(13.5)|$TiO_2$(86.8)|$SiO_2$(214.38)|glass], green system[air|$SiO_2$(74.3)|$TiO_2$(75.8)|$SiO_2$(44.3)|$TiO_2$(11.6)|$SiO_2$(160.8)|$TiO_2$(12.9)|$SiO_2$(183.3)|$TiO_2$(143.8)|glass], silver system[air|$SiO_2$(21.2)|$TiO_2$(49.7)|$SiO_2$(149.3)|glass]. White half-mirror coating lens has [air|$SiO_2$(17 nm)|$TiO_2$(43 nm)(or $ZrO_2$)|$SiO_2$(87 nm)|polysiloxane($4.46{\mu}m$|glass or CR-19]. It has half-mirror coaling lens which has about 19% reflectance and about 80% transmittance in the range of visible light(400~700nm). we designed the new half-mirror coating lens with gold color, the (x, y) value of the CIE is almost similar to the CIE value of [air|$SiO_2$(170 nm)|TiN(15 nm)|glass].

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.157-163
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• 2004

Nitrogen ion implantation and ion plating techniques were applied for improvement of the wear resistance of metallic implant materials. In this work, the wear dissolution behaviour of a nitrogen ion implanted super stainless steel (S.S.S, 22Cr-20Ni-6Mo-0.25N) was compared with those of S.S.S, 316L SS and TiN coated 316L SS. The amounts of Cr and Ni ions worn-out from the specimens were Investigated using an electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Furthermore, the Ti(Grade 2) disks were coated with TiN, ZrN and TiCN by use of low temperature arc vapor deposition and the wear resistance of the coating layers was compared with that of titanium. The chemical compositions of the nitrogen ion implanted and nitride coated layers were examined with a scanting auger electron spectroscopy. It wat observed that the metal ions released from the nitrogen ion implanted S.S.S surface were significantly reduced. From the results obtained, it was shown that the nitrogen ion implanted zone obtained with 100 KeV ion energy was easily removed within 200,000 revolutions from a wear dissolution testing under a similar load condition when applied to artificial hip joint. The remarkable improvement in wear resistance weir confirmed by the nitrides coated Ti materials and the wear properties differ greatly according to the chemical composition of the coating layers. for specimens with the same coating thickness of about 3$\mu\textrm{m}$, TiCN coated Ti showed the highest wear resistance. However, after removing the coating layers, the wear rates of all nitrides coated Ti reverted to their normal rates of below 10,000 revolutions from Ti-disk-on-disk wear testing under the same load condition. From the results obtained, it is suggested that the insufficient depth of the 100 Kel N$\^$＋/ ion implanted zone and of the nitrides coated layers of 3$\mu\textrm{m}$ are subject to restriction when used as frictional parts of load bearing implants.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.123-130
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• 2013

Zirconia is well known in industrial applications for its mechanical characteristics. DLC (diamond-like carbon) have high elastic modulus, high electric resistivity, high dielectric constant, high wear resistance, low friction coefficient, bio compatibility, chemically inert and thermally stable. Because of all these physical and chemical properties these types of coatings have become key procedure for thin coating. Friction coefficient of DLC films is already evaluated and the current work is a further advancement by calculating the fracture toughness and wear resistance of these coatings. In the present study DLC thin film coatings are developed on $ZrO_2$ alloy surface using Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) method. Vicker hardness test is employed and it was concluded that, DLC coatings increase the Vickers hardness of ceramics.