• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2024

We report the effect of plastic deformation on the thermoelectric properties of n-type Bi₂Te_2.5Se_0.5 compounds. N-type Bi₂Te_2.5Se_0.5 powders are synthesized by an oxide-reduction process and consolidated via spark-plasma sintering. To explore the effect of plastic deformation on the thermoelectric properties, the sintered bodies are subjected to uniaxial pressure to induce a controlled amount of compressive strains (-0.2, -0.3, and -0.4). The shaping temperature is set using a thermochemical analyzer, and the plastic deformation effect is assessed without altering the material composition through differential scanning calorimetry. This strategy is crucial because the conventional hot-forging process can often lead to alterations in material composition due to the high volatility of chalcogen elements. With increasing compressive strain, the (00l) planes become aligned in the direction perpendicular to the pressure axis. Furthermore, an increase in the carrier concentration is observed upon compressive plastic deformation, i.e., the donor-like effect of the plastic deformation in n-type Bi₂Te_2.5Se_0.5 compounds. Owing to the increased electrical conductivity through the preferred orientation and the donor-like effect, an improved ZT is achieved in n-type Bi₂Te_2.5Se_0.5 through the compressive-forming process.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.11-11
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• 2000

Large-size ceramic/metal bulk FGMs have been fabricated on a recently developed and the world's largest Spark Plasma Sintering(SPS) systems, As a part of the development program for practical production processes and machines for FGMs by SPS, the processes, mechanical properties, dimensional size and shape effects, and production machine systems were investigated. In the past, $ZrO_{2}$/TiAI, $ZrO_{2}$/Ni, $Al_{2}O_{3}$/Ti, WC/Co, WC/Co/Steel, A1/P, Polymide, Cu/Polymide, nano-composites, porous and other combinations of bulk FGMs have already been processed using SPS. However, most of the specimen sizes were small, in a range of 20 to 30mm in diameter. Recently disk-shape sintered compacts with diameters of 100 and 150 mm, and thickness of approximately 15 and 17 mm, $ZrO_{2}$(3Y)/ stainless steel FGMs were homogenous consolidated in a shorter sintering time, while maintaining high quality and repeatability by utilizing a temperature gradient sintering method. The SPS heating up and holding time totaled less than one hour. Therefore, the SPS process in expected to find increased use in the fabrication of large-size FGMs as a new industrial processing technology. This paper introduces SPS systems, the processing principles, features and the characteristies of ceramic/metal bulk FGM.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.444-449
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• 2017

Aluminum nitride (AlN) powder specimens are treated by high-energy bead milling and then sintered at various temperatures. Depending on the solvent and milling time, the oxygen content in the AlN powder varies significantly. When isopropyl alcohol is used, the oxygen content increases with the milling time. In contrast, hexane is very effective at suppressing the oxygen content increase in the AlN powder, although severe particle sedimentation after the milling process is observed in the AlN slurry. With an increase in the milling time, the primary particle size remains nearly constant, but the particle agglomeration is reduced. After spark plasma sintering at $1400^{\circ}C$, the second crystalline phase changes to compounds containing more $Al_2O_3$ when the AlN raw material with an increased milling time is used. When the sintering temperature is decreased from $1750^{\circ}C$ to $1400^{\circ}C$, the DC resistivity increases by approximately two orders of magnitude, which implies that controlling the sintering temperature is a very effective way to improve the DC resistivity of AlN ceramics.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2006.09a
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• pp.268-269
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• 2006

Preparation processing of sintered silicon nitride ceramics was emphatically investigated with Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis (SHS) of silicon nitride prepared by ourselves as raw material. The results indicate that good sinter ability can be obtained with cheaply SHS of silicon nitride preparing silicon nitride materials. The cost of silicon nitride materials will be lowered.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.121-127
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• 2007

We have applied mechanical alloying (MA) to get $Mg_2Si$ thermoelectric material with nano-sized grains. An optimal milling and heat treatment conditions to obtain the single phase of $Mg_2Si$ compound with fine microstructure were investigated by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement. The $Mg_{66.7}Si_{33.3}$ MA samples ball-milled for $20{\sim}180\;hrs$ exhibit two broad exothermic heat releases around $220^{\circ}C$ and $570^{\circ}C$. On the other hand, MA sample ball-milled far 260 hrs exhibits only a sharp exothermic peak at $230^{\circ}C$ Single phase Mg2Si powder can be obtained by MA of $Mg_{66.7}Si_{33.3}$ mixture for 60 hours and subsequently heated up to $620^{\circ}C$. Sintering of the MA powders was performed in a spark plasma sintering (SPS) machine using graphite dies at $800{\sim}900^{\circ}C$ under 50 MPa. The shrinkage of sintering sample during SPS was significant at about $200^{\circ}C$. All compact bodies have a high relative density above 94% with metallic glare on the surface.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.12 no.6 s.53
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• pp.393-398
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• 2005

In-situ processing route was adopted to disperse carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into $Al_2O_3$ powders homogeneously. The $Al_2O_3$ composite powders with homogeneous dispersion of CNTs could be synthesized by a catalytic route for in-situ formation of CNTs on nano-sized Fe dispersed $Al_2O_3$ powders. CNTs/Fe/$Al_2O_3$ nanopowders were densified by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The hardness and bending strength as well as electrical conductivity increased with increasing sintering temperature. However, the electrical conductivity of the composites sintered at above $1500^{\circ}C$ showed decreased value with increasing sintering temperature due to the oxidation of CNTs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.98-99
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• 2004

(1) Using high-frequency induction heating sintering and spark plasma sintering method, the densification of WC-Ni hard materials was accomplished using ultra fine power of Ni and WC. (2) Nearly fully dense WC-Ni could be obtained within 1 min. (3) Relative density and mechanical properties of WC-Ni obtained by HFIHS were high than those obtained by SPS. And WC grain size made by HFIHS was smaller than that made by SPS. (4) The fracture toughness and hardness values of WC-8Ni, WC-10Ni, and WC-12Ni made by HFIHS were $13MPa{\cdot}m^{1/2}\;and\;1950kg/mm^2,\;13.5Mpa{\cdot}m^{1/2}\;and\;1810kg/mm^2,\;14.4MPa{\cdot}m^{1/2}\;and\;1690kg/mm^2$, respectively for 60MPa and an induced current for 90% output of total capacity, 15KW. (5) The fracture toughness and hardness values of WC-8Ni, WC-10Ni, and WC-12Ni made by SPS were $12.2MPa{\cdot}m^{1/2}\;and\;1796kg/mm^2,\;12.9MPa{\cdot}m^{1/2}\;and\;1725kg/mm^2,\;13.6MPa{\cdot}m^{1/2}\;and\;1597kg/mm^2$, respectively for 60MPa and the electric current of 2500 A

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.4052-4059
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• 2021

The microstructure of the fuel pellet plays an essential role in fission gas buildup and release and is critical for the safe and continued operation of nuclear power stations. Structural analysis of uranium dioxide (UO₂)-molybdenum (Mo) composite fuel pellets prepared at a range of sintering temperatures from 1300 to 1800 ℃ was performed. Mo micro and nanoparticles were used in making the composite pellets. A systematic investigation into the influence of processing parameters during Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) of the pellets on the microstructure, texture, grain size, and grain boundary characters of UO₂-Mo is presented. UO₂-Mo composite show significant differences in the fraction of general boundaries and also special/coincident site lattice (CSL) boundaries. EBSD orientation maps demonstrated that <111> texturing was observed in the pellets fabricated at 1500 ℃. The experimental investigations suggest that UO₂-Mo composite pellets have favorable microstructural features compared to the UO₂ pellet.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.403-409
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• 2021

In this study, Ti-Mo-EB composites are prepared by ball milling and spark plasma sintering (SPS) to obtain a low elastic modulus and high strength and to evaluate the microstructure and mechanical properties as a function of the process conditions. As the milling time and sintering temperature increased, Mo, as a β-Ti stabilizing element, diffused, and the microstructure of β-Ti increased. In addition, the size of the observed phase was small, so the modulus and hardness of α-Ti and β-Ti were measured using nanoindentation equipment. In both phases, as the milling time and sintering temperature increased, the modulus of elasticity decreased, and the hardness increased. After 12 h of milling, the specimen sintered at 1000℃ showed the lowest values of modulus of elasticity of 117.52 and 101.46 GPa for α-Ti and β-Ti, respectively, confirming that the values are lower compared to the that in previously reported studies.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2024

This study investigates the effect of the microstructure of Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃ (LATP), a solid electrolyte, on its ionic conductivity. Solid electrolytes, a key component in electrochemical energy storage devices such as batteries, differ from traditional liquid electrolytes by utilizing solid-state ionic conductors. LATP, characterized by its NASICON structure, facilitates rapid lithium-ion movement and exhibits relatively high ionic conductivity, chemical stability, and good electrochemical compatibility. In this study, the microstructure and ionic conductivity of LATP specimens sintered at 850, 900, and 950℃ for various sintering times are analyzed. The results indicate that the changes in the microstructure due to sintering temperature and time significantly affect ionic conductivity. Notably, the specimens sintered at 900℃ for 30 min exhibit high ionic conductivity. This study presents a method to optimize the ionic conductivity of LATP. Additionally, it underscores the need for a deeper understanding of the Li-ion diffusion mechanism and quantitative microstructure analysis.