• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.21-27
• /
• 2015

In this study, interfacial characteristics between SOFC and Ag paste as current collector was estimated in the high temperature environment. The Ag paste was used to connect the unit cell of SOFC strongly with interconnector and provide the electrical conductivity between them. To confirm electrical conductivity, Ag paste was treated in the furnace at $800^{\circ}C$ for 48 hours. The sheet resistance of Ag paste was measured to compare the resistance values before and after the heat treatment. Also, the four-point bending test was performed to measure the interfacial adhesion. The unit cell of SOFC and $SiO_2$ wafer were diced and then attached by Ag paste. The $SiO_2$ wafer had the center notch to initiate a crack from the tip of the notch. The modified stereomicroscope combined with the CCD camera and system for measuring the length was used to observe the fracture behavior. To compare the characteristics before heat treatment and after heat treatment, the specimen was exposed in the furnace at $800^{\circ}C$ for 48 hours and then the interfacial adhesion was evaluated. Finally, the interfacial adhesion energy quantitatively increases $1.78{\pm}0.07J/m^2$ to $4.9{\pm}0.87J/m^2$ between the cathode and Ag paste and also increase $2.9{\pm}0.47J/m^2$ to $5.12{\pm}1.01J/m^2$ between the anode and Ag paste through the high temperature. Therefore, it is expected that Ag paste as current collector was appropriate for improving the structural stability in the stacked SOFC system if the electrical conductivity was more increased.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.142-153
• /
• 2004

Statement of problem: Increasing demand of esthetic restorations made lots of kinds of ceramic materials. Among them, zirconia has been being focused by many dentists. But, mechanical properties of zirconia were still unclear. Purpose : The purposes of this study were to analyze the flexural strength of various zirconia ceramics which had been currently used for clinic i.e., In-Ceram Zirconia(Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad $S\"{a}ckingen$, Germany), Celay Zirconia(Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad $S\"{a}ckingen$, Germany) and CAD/CAM Zirconia (Adens Zi-Ceram. Seoul , Korea). Material and methods: The four point bending test(ASTM Cl161) was used to measure the flexural strength of a specimen before and after circular heat treatment and fatigue loading. Results : 1. The average value of flexural strengths of CAD/CAM Zirconia, Celay Zirconia, In-Ceram Zirconia in dry condition were 806.5 MPa, 669.9 MPa, 605.6 MPa, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in strength among the types (P<0.05). 2. After thermocycling, the average flexural strengths of CAD/CAM Zirconia, Celay Zirconia, In-Ceram Zirconia were 791.2 MPa, 604.2 MPa, 605.4 MPa, respectively. CAD/CAM Zirconia showed statistically significant higher strength(P<0.05). The others showed no significant difference after thermocycling(P>0.05). 3. After fatigue loading in wet condition. the average flexural strengths of CAD/CAM Zirconia, Celay Zirconia, In-Ceram Zirconia were 806.0 MPa, 674.9 MPa, 601.7 MPa, respectively. There was a significant difference in strength among the types(P<0.05). 4. There was no statistically significant difference in strength of the specimens according to experimental methods except for before and after thermocycling in Celay Zirconia(P>0.05). Conclusion: Besides high esthetic quality, zirconia had sufficiently high mechanical strength.

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

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.316-325
• /
• 2018

Objective: The aim of this systematic multiscale analysis was to evaluate the effects of thermoforming on the physical and mechanical properties of thermoplastic materials used to fabricate transparent orthodontic aligners (TOAs). Methods: Specimens were fabricated using four types of thermoplastic materials with different thicknesses under a thermal vacuum. Transparency, water absorption and solubility, surface hardness, and the results of three-point bending and tensile tests were evaluated before and after thermoforming. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Student's t-test. Results: After thermoforming, the transparency of Duran and Essix A+ decreased, while the water absorption ability of all materials; the water solubility of Duran, Essix A+, and Essix ACE; and the surface hardness of Duran and Essix A+ increased. The flexure modulus for the 0.5-mm-thick Duran, Essix A+, and eCligner specimens increased, whereas that for the 0.75-/1.0-mm-thick Duran and eClginer specimens decreased. In addition, the elastic modulus increased for the 0.5-mm-thick Essix A+ specimens and decreased for the 0.75-mm-thick Duran and Essix ACE and the 1.0-mm-thick Essix ACE specimens. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the physical and mechanical properties of thermoplastic materials used for the fabrication of TOAs should be evaluated after thermoforming in order to characterize their properties for clinical application.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.481-492
• /
• 2018

In this paper, a new hybrid fiber system (NHFS) is investigated for the application of slab. The steel fiber, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber and calcium carbonate ($CaCO_3$) whisker is added to form NHFS. The four-point bending test is carried out on the flexural properties of slab with plain, steel fiber, traditional hybrid fiber system (THFS) and NHFS reinforced cementitious composites. The flexural behavior is evaluated by ASTM C1018-97, JCI-SF4 and post-crack strength (PCS) technique. The evaluation parameters of flexural toughness such as toughness index (TI), equivalent flexural strength (EFS) and PCS are determined. The size of slab specimens is $15mm(thickness){\times}50mm(width){\times}200mm(length)$. The results show that adding $CaCO_3$ whisker to THFS can significantly improve the flexural strength, TI, EFS, PCS of the slab. The empirical relation between reinforcing index ($RI_v$) and flexural parameters show that flexural parameters of slabs increase first and then decrease; which indicates that optimum $RI_v$ values can be helpful in the considering the mix design of steel-PVA fibers-$CaCO_3$ whisker composites for achieving the desired flexural-related properties. The scanning electron microscopy is performed to observe the micro-morphological characteristics of the fracture surface, which proved the positive hybrid effect among the different fibers in cementitious composites. The NHFS can arrest the generation and propagation of the crack from micro to macro level.

• Advances in nano research
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.467-484
• /
• 2023

Despite the significant features of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCCs), including better mechanical, fractural, and durability performance, their high content of cement has restricted their use in the construction industry. Although ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) is considered the main supplementary cementitious material, its slow pozzolanic reaction stands against its application. The addition of nano-sized mineral modifiers, including nano-silica (NS), is an alternative to address the drawbacks of using GGBFS. The main object of this empirical and numerical research is to examine the effect of NS on the strain-hardening behavior of cementitious composites; ten mixes were designed, and five levels of NS were considered. This study proposes a new method, using a four-point bending test to assess the use of nano-silica (NS) on the flexural behavior, first cracking strength, fracture energy, and micromechanical parameters including interfacial friction bond strength and maximum bridging stress. Digital image correlation (DIC) was used for monitoring the initiation and propagation of the cracks. In addition, to attain a deep comprehension of fiber/matrix interaction, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was used. It was discovered that using nano-silica (NS) in cementitious materials results in an enhancement in the matrix toughness, which prevents multiple cracking and, therefore, strain-hardening. In addition, adding NS enhanced the interfacial transition zone between matrix and fiber, leading to a higher interfacial friction bond strength, which helps multiple cracking in the composite due to the hydrophobic nature of polypropylene (PP) fibers. The findings of this research provide insight into finding the optimum percent of NS in which both ductility and high tensile strength of the composites would be satisfied. As a concluding remark, a new criterion is proposed, showing that the optimum value of nano-silica is 2%. The findings and proposed method of this study can facilitate the design and utilization of green cementitious composites in structures.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
• /
• v.20 no.6
• /
• pp.731-740
• /
• 2008

This paper deals with the fatigue behavior and strength of a new-type of steel-concrete composite bridge deck. The new-type composite bridge deck consists of corrugated steel plate, welded T-beams, stud-type shear connectors and reinforced concrete filler. A total of eight composite bridge deck specimens were fabricated, the fatigue tests were conducted under four-point bending test with three different stress ranges in constant amplitude. According to the test results, the fatigue crack generated at the welding part of the corrugated steel plate, progressed down to the bottom of the steel plate and encountered the crack, which came out from the opposite side at the same position. After the two cracks were connected at the bottom of the steel plate, the lower flange was cut off and the fatigue crack developed up to the T-beam. And the displacements and strains of fatigue test specimens were increasing with cyclic loading number, these were changed sharply at the fatigue failure. The fatigue results are compared with the design S-N curves specified in the Korea Highway Bridge Design Specifications and data in NCHRP 102 and NCHRP 147 report. The new-type composite bridge deck has a stress category of C, which means that new-type composite bridge deck can be designed by the current fatigue design specifications provided for steel members.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.178-189
• /
• 2011

Tests and analyses were performed in this study to assess the shear strength of Reinforced Concrete(RC) members strengthened by the Near Surface Mounted(NSM) technique in shear, which is drawing attention as an alternative to the Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer(CFRP) bonding strengthening technique. Four-point bending tests were performed on 7 RC specimens without any shear reinforcement. The test variables such as the inclination of CFRP strip (45 degrees and 90 degrees), and the spacing of CFRP strip (250mm, 200mm, 150mm, 100mm) were considered. Through the testing scenarios, the effect of each test variable on the failure mode and the shear strength of the RC members strengthened by the NSM technique in shear were assessed. The test results show that the specimens with CFRP strips at 45 degrees go to failure as a result of the strip fracture, but the specimens with CFRP strips at 90 degrees go to failure as a result of the slip of strips. Strips at 45 degrees was the more effective than strips at 90 degrees, not only in terms of increasing beam shear resistance but also in assuring larger deformation capacity at beam failure. In addition, the RBSN analysis appropriately predicted the crack formation and the load-displacement response of the RC members strengthened by the NSM technique in shear.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.199-208
• /
• 2010

In order to substitute FRP bar for steel bar in new structures, it is necessary to establish a reliable design code. But relatively little research has been conducted on the material in Korea. So, a total of 22 beam specimens (18 GFRP reinforced concrete and 4 conventional steel reinforced concrete) were constructed and tested. In the first phase of the experiment, it was carried out to observe flexural behavior, and collect deflection and crack data. In order to eliminate of the uncertainty by the shear reinforcements and induce flexural failure mode, any stirrup were not used and only shear span-depth ratio were adjusted. However, almost beams were broken by shear and the ACI 440.1R, CSA S806, which were used to design test beams, showed considerable deviation between prediction and test results of shear strengths. Therefore in the second phase of the study, shear failure modes and behavior were observed. A standard specimen had dimensions of 3,300 mm long ${\times}$ 800 mm wide ${\times}$ 200 mm effective depth. Clear span and shear span were 2,800 mm, 1,200 mm respectively. Control shear span-depth ratio was 6.0. Four-point bending test over simple support was conducted. Variables of the specimens were concrete compressive strength, type and elastic modulus of reinforcement, shear span-depth ratio, effective reinforcement ratio, the effect of bundle placing method and cover thickness.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
• /
• v.1 no.3
• /
• pp.113-117
• /
• 2009

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM. Recently Yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) has been introduced due to superior flexural strength and fracture toughness compared to other dental ceramic systems. Although zirconia has outstanding mechanical properties, the phenomenon of decrease in the life-time of zirconia resulted from degradation in flexural strength after low temperature aging has been reported. PURPOSE. The objective of this study was to investigate degradation of flexural strength of Y-TZP ceramics after various low temperature aging treatments and to evaluate the phase stability and micro-structural change after aging by using X-ray diffraction analysis and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). MATERIAL AND METHODS. Y-TZP blocks of Vita In-Ceram YZ (Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad $S\ddot{a}ckingen$, Germany) were prepared in 40 mm (length) $\times$ 4 mm (width) $\times$ 3 mm (height) samples. Specimens were artificially aged in distilled water by heat-treatment at a temperature of 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, and $225^{\circ}C$ for 10 hours, in order to induce the phase transformation at the surface. To measure the mechanical property, the specimens were subjected to a four-point bending test using a universal testing machine (Instron model 3365; Instron, Canton, Mass, USA). In addition, X-ray diffraction analysis (DMAX 2500; Rigaku, Tokyo, Japan) and SEM (Hitachi s4700; Jeol Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) were performed to estimate the phase transformation. The statistical analysis was done using SAS 9.1.3 (SAS institute, USA). The flexural strength data of the experimental groups were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and to detect statistically significant differences ($\alpha$= .05). RESULTS. The mean flexural strength of sintered Vita In-Ceram YZ without autoclaving was 798 MPa. When applied aging temperature at below $125^{\circ}C$ for 10 hours, the flexural strength of Vita In-Ceram YZ increased up to 1,161 MPa. However, at above $150^{\circ}C$, the flexural strength started to decrease. Although low temperature aging caused the tetragonal-to-monoclinic phase transformation related to temperature, the minimum flexural strength was above 700 MPa. CONCLUSION. The monoclinic phase started to appear after aging treatment above $100^{\circ}C$. With the higher aging temperature, the fraction of monoclinic phase increased. The ratio of monoclinic/tetragonal + monoclinic phase reached a plateau value, circa 75% above $175^{\circ}C$. The point of monoclinic concentration at which the flexural strength begins to decrease was between 12% and 54%.