• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.241-241
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• 1999

With the aim of assessing the degradation of Zr-2.5Nb pressure tubes operating in the Wolsong unit-1 nuclear power plant, characterization tests are being conducted on irradiated Zr-2.5Nb tubes removed after 10-year operation. The examined tube had been exposed to temperatures ranging from 264 to 306℃ and a neutron fluence of 8.9×$10^{21}$ n/cm²(E>1 MeV) at the maximum. Tensile tests were carried out at temperatures ranging from RT to 300℃. The density of a-type and c-type dislocations was examined on the irradiated Zr-2.5Nb tube using a transmission electron microscope. Neutron irradiation up to 8.9×$10^{21}$ n/cm²(E>1 MeV) yielded an increase in a-type dislocation density of the Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube to 7.5×$10^{14} m^{-2}$, which was highest at the inlet of the tube exposed to the low temperature of 275℃. In contrast, the c-component dislocation density did not change with irradiation, keeping an initial dislocation density of 0.8×$10^{14} m^{-2}$ over the whole length of the tube. As expected, the neutron irradiation increased mechanical strength by about 17-26% in the transverse direction and by 34-39% in the longitudinal direction compared to that of the unirradiated tube at 300℃. The change in the mechanical properties with irradiation is discussed in association with the microstructural change as a function of temperature and neutron fluence.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.202-208
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• 2015

Alumina dispersion strengthening copper(ADSC) alloy has great potential for use in many industrial applications such as contact supports, frictional break parts, electrode materials for lead wires, and spot welding with relatively high strength and good conductivity. In this study, we investigated the oxidation behavior of ADSC alloys. These alloys were fabricated in forms of plate and round type samples by surface oxidation reaction using Cu-0.8Al, Cu-0.4Al-0.4Ti, and Cu-0.6Al-0.4Ti(wt%) alloys. The alloys were oxidized at $980^{\circ}C$ for 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h in ambient atmosphere. The microstructure was observed with an optical microscope(OM) and a scanning electron microscope(SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS). Characterization of alumina was carried out using a 200 kV field-emission transmission electron microscope(TEM). As a result, various oxides including Ti were formed in the oxidation layer, in addition to ${\gamma}$-alumina. The thickness of the oxidation layer increased with Ti addition to the Cu-Al alloy and with the oxidation time. The corrected diffusion equation for the plate and round type samples showed different oxidation layer thickness under the same conditions. Diffusion length of the round type specimen had a value higher than that of its plate counterpart because the oxygen concentration per unit area of the round type specimen was higher than that of the plate type specimen at the same diffusion depth.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.249-252
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• 2012

Fe doped $TiO_2$ nanoparticles were prepared under high temperature and pressure conditions by mixture of metal nitrate solution and $TiO_2$ sol. Fe doped $TiO_2$ particles were reacted in the temperature range of 170 to $200^{\circ}C$ for 6 h. The microstructure and phase of the synthesized Fe doped $TiO_2$ nanoparticles were studied by SEM (FE-SEM), TEM, and XRD. Thermal properties of the synthesized Fe doped $TiO_2$ nanoparticles were studied by TG-DTA analysis. TEM and X-ray diffraction pattern shows that the synthesized Fe doped $TiO_2$ nanoparticles were crystalline. The average size and distribution of the synthesized Fe doped $TiO_2$ nanoparticles were about 10 nm and narrow, respectively. The average size of the synthesized Fe doped $TiO_2$ nanoparticles increased as the reaction temperature increased. The overall reduction in weight of Fe doped $TiO_2$ nanoparticles was about 16% up to ${\sim}700^{\circ}C$; water of crystallization was dehydrated at $271^{\circ}C$. The transition of Fe doped $TiO_2$ nanoparticle phase from anatase to rutile occurred at almost $561^{\circ}C$. The amount of rutile phase of the synthesized Fe doped $TiO_2$ nanoparticles increased with decreasing Fe concentration. The effects of synthesis parameters, such as the concentration of the starting solution and the reaction temperature, are discussed.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.426-431
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• 2015

Microstructural examination of the Nb-Si-B alloys at Nb-rich compositions is performed. The Nb-rich corner of the Nb-Si-B system is favorable in that the constituent phases are Nb (ductile and tough phase with high melting temperature) and $T_2$ phase (very hard intermetallic compound with favorable oxidation resistance) which are good combination for high temperature structural materials. The samples containing compositions near Nb-rich corner of the Nb-Si-B ternary system are prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) process using $T_2$ and Nb powders. $T_2$ bulk phase is made in arc furnace by melting the Nb slug and the Si-B powder compact. The $T_2$ bulk phase was subsequently ball-milled to powders. SPS is performed at $1300^{\circ}C$ and $1400^{\circ}C$, depending on the composition, under 30 MPa for 600s, to produce disc-shaped specimen with 15 mm in diameter and 3 mm high. Hardness tests (Rockwell A-scale and micro Vickers) are carried out to estimate the mechanical property.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.413-419
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• 2015

Lanthanum zirconate, $La_2Zr_2O_7$, is one of the most promising candidates for next-generation thermal barrier coating (TBC) applications in high efficient gas turbines due to its low thermal conductivity and chemical stability at high temperature. In this study, bulk specimens and thermal barrier coatings are fabricated via a variety of sintering processes as well as suspension plasma spray in lanthanum zirconates with reduced rare-earth contents. The phase formation, microstructure, and thermo-physical properties of these oxide ceramics and coatings are examined. In particular, lanthanum zirconates with reduced rare-earth contents in a $La_2Zr_2O_7-4YSZ$ composite system exhibit a single phase of fluorite or pyrochlore after fabricated by suspension plasma spray or spark plasma sintering. The potential of lanthanum zirconate ceramics for TBC applications is also discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.198-204
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• 2010

Modified 9Cr-1Mo steels possess excellent high-temperature mechanical properties and are widely used in energy conversion industries. However, in-service materials degradation, such as softening, carbide-induced embrittlement, temper embrittlement, etc., can take place during long-term operation. Evolution of microstructure due to service exposure to high temperature has a strong effect on the performance of heat resistant steels. In case of modified 9Cr-1Mo steels, precipitation of $Fe_2Mo$-type laves phases and coarsening of $M_{23}C_6$-type carbides are the primary cause of degradation of mechanical properties such as toughness, hardness, tensile strength and creep resistance. This study was aimed at finding reliable parameter for assessing the integrity of modified 9Cr-1Mo steels. Characteristic parameters were attained between mechanical and ultrasonic properties.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.242-252
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• 2014

A comparative study was performed on the microstructures and the mechanical properties of STD11 and 8Cr steel. The specimens were quenched from $1030^{\circ}C$ and tempered at $240^{\circ}C$ and $520^{\circ}C$. Vickers hardness, impact toughness and tensile tests were conducted at various tempering temperatures. Microstructural characterization to measure grain size, volume fraction of retained austenite and distribution of carbides was carried out by using SEM, EBSD, TEM and X-ray diffraction techniques. Due to finer $M_7C_3$ carbides dispersed, 8Cr steel showed larger impact toughness and plasticity than STD11 irrespective of the tempering temperature. While 8Cr steel had lower hardness in as-quenched state and after tempering at $240^{\circ}C$ owing to smaller carbide content and more retained austenite, it was harder after tempering at $520^{\circ}C$ due to larger precipitation hardening from finer $M_{23}C_6$.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.771-782
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• 1989

Synthesis of $\beta$-Sialon powder was attempted with carbothermal reduction of porous glass. The porous glass was prepared by heat and hydrothermal treatments of 9.32 Li2O.46.5B2O3.37.2SiO2.6.98Al2O3 glass. Carbon pyrolyzed from propane gas was deposited on the porous glass, thereafter activated carbon was added as reducing agents. The synthesized $\beta$-Sialon powder was pressureless sintered at 175$0^{\circ}C$ for 1hr in N2 atmosphere. The characterization of the $\beta$-Sialon powder was performed with XRD, BET, SEM and particle size analysis. The sinterability and mechanical properties of the sintered bodies were investigated in terms of bulk density, M.O.R., fracture toughness, morphology of microstructure and etc. The reduction effect of deposited carbon was better than that of activated carbon mechanically added. The formation of SiC was precominant over that of Si2ON2 and $\beta$-Sialon owing to low partial pressure of N2 inside the pore, wehreas on the surface of porous glass the formation of Si2ON2 and $\beta$-Sialon were predominant. Thereafter, SiC reduced unreacted glass to be $\beta$-Sialon. Single phase of $\beta$-Sialon(Z=1.92) was obtained from PGA porous glass having the largest pore radius by the simultaneous reduction and nitridation method at 145$0^{\circ}C$ for 5hrs. The bulk density, M.O.R., and KIC of the sitered body are 3.17g/cc, 434.4MPa and 4.1MPa.m1/2, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.508-512
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• 2010

The optimum route to fabricate nano-sized Fe-50 wt% Co and hydrogen-reduction behavior of calcined Fe-/Conitrate was investigated. The powder mixture of metal oxides was prepared by solution mixing and calcination of Fe-/Co-nitrate. A DTA-TG and microstructural analysis revealed that the nitrates mixture by the calcination at $300^{\circ}C$ for 2 h was changed to Fe-oxide/$Co_3O_4$ composite powders with an average particle size of 100 nm. The reduction behavior of the calcined powders was analyzed by DTA-TG in a hydrogen atmosphere. The composite powders of Fe-oxide and Co3O4 changed to a Fe-Co phase with an average particle size of 40 nm in the temperature range of $260-420^{\circ}C$. In the TG analysis, a two-step reduction process relating to the presence of Fe3O4 and a CoO phase as the intermediate phase was observed. The hydrogen-reduction kinetics of the Fe-oxide/Co3O4 composite powders was evaluated by the amount of peak shift with heating rates in TG. The activation energies for the reduction, estimated by the slope of the Kissinger plot, were 96 kJ/mol in the peak temperature range of $231-297^{\circ}C$ and 83 kJ/mol of $290-390^{\circ}C$, respectively. The reported activation energy of 70.4-94.4 kJ/mol for the reduction of Fe- and Co-oxides is in reasonable agreement with the measured value in this study.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.73-78
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• 2009

Characterization of the microweld CCFL electrode for the TFT-LCD backlight unit was carried out in terms of the glass beading heat treatment conditions. We evaluate the weld zone and parent metal of the microweld CCFL electrodes that were exposed to simulated glass beading heat treatment. The CCFL electrode was composed of the cup made with pure Ni, the pin made with pure Mo and the lead wire made with Ni-Mn alloy. Each part of the electrode was assembled together by micro spot welding process and then the assembled electrodes were exposed to simulated glass beading temperatures of $700^{\circ}C,\;750^{\circ}C$ and $800^{\circ}C$. The microstructures of the microweld CCFL electrode were observed by using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and EDS. Micro-tensile and microhardness test were also carried out. The results indicated that the grain coarsening in the HAZs(heat affected zones) for both the cup-pin weld and pin-lead wire were exhibited and the grain coarsening of the HAZ for the cup and the lead wire was more obvious than the HAZ of the pin. The micro-tensile test revealed that the fracture occurred at the cup-pin weld zone for all test conditions. The fracture surface could be classified into two parts such as pin portion and cup portion including weld nugget. The failure was seemed to be initiated from the boundary between nugget and pin through the weld joint. The result of the microhardness measurement exhibited that the relatively low hardness value, about 105HV was recorded at the HAZ of the cup. This value was about 50% less than that of the original value of the cup. The reduction of the microhardness was considered as the cause of the grain coarsening due to welding process. It was also appeared that there was no change in electric resistance for the standard electrodes and heat treated electrodes.