• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.466-473
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• 2022

The effect of Cr and Mo contents on the hydrogen embrittlement of tempered martensitic steels was investigated in this study. After the steels with different Cr and Mo contents were austenitized at 820 ℃ for 90 min, they were tempered at 630 ℃ for 120 min. The steels were composed of fully tempered martensite with a lath-type microstructure, but the characteristics of the carbides were dependent on the Cr and Mo contents. As the Cr and Mo contents increased, the volume fraction of film-like cementite and prior austenite grain size decreased. After hydrogen was introduced into tensile specimens by electrochemical charging, a slow strain-rate test (SSRT) was conducted to investigate hydrogen embrittlement behavior. The SSRT results revealed that the steel with lower Cr or lower Mo content showed relatively poor hydrogen embrittlement resistance. The hydrogen embrittlement resistance of the tempered martensitic steels increased with increasing Mo content, because the reduction in the film-like cementite and prior austenite grain size plays an important role in improving hydrogen embrittlement resistance. The results indicate that controlling the Cr and Mo contents is essential to achieving a tempered martensitic steel with a combination of high strength and excellent hydrogen embrittlement resistance.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2022

Although the mileage of electric vehicles can be increased based on the excellent energy density of the LiNi_0.9Co_0.05Mn_0.05O₂, it is known that the reason for limiting its use is the low lifespan and poor surface stability due to the structural deformation of the LiNi_0.9Co_0.05Mn_0.05O₂. To improve the structural stability of LiNi_0.9Co_0.05Mn_0.05O₂, electrochemical performance is improved by La coating on the surface. La-modified LiNi_0.9Co_0.05Mn_0.05O₂ shows an initial capacity of 210.6 mAh/g, a capacity retention rate of 89.9 % after 50 cycles, and a retention rate of 52.5% at 6.0 C. These are superior performances than the pristine sample, because the structural stability of the LiNi_0.9Co_0.05Mn_0.05O₂ cathode is improved by the La coating.

• Composites Research
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.456-462
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• 2022

Since natural fibers are highly flammable, it is not easy to make them flame retardant. In this study, a liquid flame retardant based on phytic acid, APTES, and Thiourea, which are flame retardant candidates derived from nature, was prepared and its performance was verified through flame retardant treatment and flame retardancy evaluation of bamboo fibers. When a liquid flame retardant is used, it is possible to treat a large amount of natural fibers with flame retardant treatment. Nine types of flame-retardant treated bamboo fibers were prepared according to the Taguchi design of experiment method. Thereafter, vertical burning test and microcalorimeter test were performed for flame retardancy evaluation, and the surface of natural fibers before and after flame-retardant treatment was compared using scanning electron microscope. The results show that phytic acid has a significant effect on improving the flame retardancy of natural fibers. Through microstructure analysis, it was assumed that the phytic acid helps flame retardant to uniformly adhere to the surface of natural fibers. If such research results are utilized, it is possible to make a large amount of natural fibers high flammability in an eco-friendly way, which is expected to be advantageous for the application of prototypes.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.434-444
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• 2022

Corrosion inhibitors based on Zn-Al hydrotalcites containing benzoate (ZnAlHB) with different molar ratios of Zn/Al were prepared with a co-precipitation process. Compositions and structures of the resulting hydrotalcites were studied with suitable spectroscopic methods such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and surface zeta potential measurements, respectively. Results of physico-chemical studies showed that crystallite sizes, compositions of products, and surface electrical properties were significantly changed when the molar ratio of Zn/Al was increased. The release of benzoate from hydrotalcites also differed slightly among samples. Anticorrosion abilities of hydrotalcites intercalated with benzoate at a concentration of 3 g/L on carbon steel were analyzed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), polarization curve, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and SEM. Corrosion inhibition abilities of benzoate modified hydrotalcites in 0.1 M NaCl showed an upward trend with increasing Zn/Al ratio. The reason for the dependence of corrosion resistance on the Zn/Al ratio was discussed, including changes in the microstructure of hydrotalcites such as crystal size, density, uniformity, and formation of ZnO.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.257-268
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• 2021

Phthalates and their metabolites are well-known endocrine disrupting chemicals. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has been widely used in industry and the exposing possibility to adult is high. In this study, DEHP was treated (133 ㎍/L and 1,330 ㎍/L in drinking water) according to the OECD test guideline 443 to mature female mice and their adrenal gland were examined for histological characteristics and steroidogenic gene expression. The wet weight of the adrenal gland was increased in all administrated groups compared to control. The diameter of zona fasciculata (ZF) was increased by DEHP in both outer ZF and inner ZF but there was no difference in morphology of the cells and arrangements into zona between groups. In addition, the arrangement of extracellular matrix was not different between control and DEHP groups. CYP11B1 was mainly localized at ZF and the intensity was not different between groups. DAX1 was localized in zona glomerulosa (ZG) and ZF, and its expression levels were decreased by DEHP administration. Its level was lower in DEHP133 group than DEHP1330 group. On the other hand, CYP17A1 was localized in ZG of DEHP1330 group. These results suggest that chronic low-dose DEHP exposing may modify the microstructure and function of the adrenal cortical cortex.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.121-129
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• 2022

Recently the growth of the renewable energy production has caused the flexible operation in LNG combined cycle power plant. Due to the rapid start and stop operations, large CrMoV castings used for turbine casings and valve bodies could be distorted and lead to replacement or welding repair. This study was performed to find out the characteristics of the repair welding for a damaged CrMoV casting steel. A typical field repair method (arc & TIG welding) was applied to making specimens. The degraded N2 packing head sample from the steam turbine was used. The evaluations of weldments were carried out in terms of microstructural characterization, microhardness measurements, tensile, creep-rupture and fatigue tests. Color etching was also applied for better understanding of welding microstructures. As the boundary between HAZ and base material was deteriorated by welding, it caused microstructural changes formed during PWHT and the shortening of the remaining residual life. By comparing the properties according to repair welding method, it was possible to derive what important welding factors were. As a result, arc welding method is more suitable for repair welding on CrMoV castings.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2022

Recently, high-entropy carbides have attracted considerable attention owing to their excellent physical and chemical properties such as high hardness, fracture toughness, and conductivity. However, as an emerging class of novel materials, the synthesis methods, performance, and applications of high-entropy carbides have ample scope for further development. In this study, equiatomic (Hf-Ti-Ta-Zr-Nb)C high-entropy carbide powders have been prepared by an ultrahigh-energy ball-milling (UHEBM) process with different milling times (1, 5, 15, 30, and 60 min). Further, their refinement behavior and high-entropy synthesis potential have been investigated. With an increase in the milling time, the particle size rapidly reduces (under sub-micrometer size) and homogeneous mixing of the prepared powder is observed. The distortions in the crystal lattice, which occur as a result of the refinement process and the multicomponent effect, are found to improve the sintering, thereby notably enhancing the formation of a single-phase solid solution (high-entropy). Herein, we present a procedure for the bulk synthesis of highly pure, dense, and uniform FCC single-phase (Fm3m crystal structure) (Hf-Ti-Ta-Zr-Nb)C high-entropy carbide using a milling time of 60 min and a sintering temperature of 1,600℃.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.433-450
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• 2022

The conventional disposal methods of waste tires are harmful to the environment. Moreover, the recycling/reuse of waste tires in domestic and industrial applications is limited due to parent product's quality control and environmental concerns. Additionally, the recycling industry often prefers powdered rubber particles (<0.60 mm). However, the processing of waste tires yields both powdered and coarser (>0.60 mm) size fractions. Reprocessing of coarser rubber requires higher energy increasing the product cost. Therefore, the waste tire rubber (WTR) less favored by the recycling industry is encouraged for use in construction products as one of the environment-friendly disposal methods. In this study, WTR fiber >0.60 mm size fraction is collected from the industry and sorted into 0.60-1.18, 1.18-2.36-, and 2.36-4.75-mm sizes. The effects of different fiber size fractions are studied by incorporating it as fine aggregates at 10%, 20%, and 30% in the self-compacting rubberized concrete (SCRC). The experimental investigations are carried out by performing fresh and hardened state tests. As the fresh state tests, the slump-flow, T500, V-funnel, and L-box are performed. As the hardened state tests, the scanning electron microscope, compressive strength, flexural strength and split tensile strength tests are conducted. Also, the water absorption, porosity, and ultrasonic pulse velocity tests are performed to measure durability. Furthermore, SCRC's energy absorption capacity is evaluated using the falling weight impact test. The statistical significance of content and size fraction of WTR fiber on SCRC is evaluated using the analysis of variance (ANOVA). As the general conclusion, implementation of various size fraction WTR fiber as fine aggregate showed potential for producing concrete for construction applications. Thus, use of WTR fiber in concrete is suggested for safe, and feasible waste tire disposal.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.251-258
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• 2021

Hyaluronic acid (HA) microspheres (MSs) crosslinked with polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDE) are prepared using a simple fluidic device (SFD) to investigate the optimized parameters. A solution mixture of PEGDE in 2-methyl-1-propanol was prepared as a continuous phase in SFD. HA solutions of 1 wt% concentration were introduced into SFD as a discontinuous phase. The HA solution prepared by stirring for more than 48 h exhibited spherical MSs at the needle tip inside the ring cap. As the flow rate of the continuous phase increased from 0.7 to 1.9 mL/min, the diameter of the MS decreased from 173±36 ㎛ to 129±13 ㎛. Although the PEGDE concentration in the range of 0.2 to 1.8 vol% did not affect the diameter of the MS, the microstructure of MS, consisting of inner hollow void and wall, was changed. The inner void and wall size decreased and increased from 79.5 ㎛ to 57.2 ㎛ and from 10.3 ㎛ to 21.4 ㎛, respectively, with increasing PEGDE concentration from 0.2 vol% to 1.8 vol%. FT-IR peaks located around 2867 cm^-1 and 1088 cm^-1 indicated that the HA MS prepared at different PEGDE concentrations were chemically crosslinked. The HA MSs containing different PEGDE concentrations exhibited quantitative cell viability of more than 98%. L-929 cells adhered well to the HA MSs and proliferated continuously with increasing culture time to 48 h regardless of PEGDE concentration, implying that the HA MSs are clinically safe and effective.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.57-62
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• 2022

The plasma resistance of multi-component glasses containing La, Gd, Ti, Zn, Y, Zr, Nb, and Ta was analyzed in this study. The plasma etching was performed via inductively coupled plasma-reactive ion etching (ICP-RIE) using CF₄/O₂/Ar mixed gas. After the reaction, the glass with a low fluoride sublimation temperature and high content of P, Si, and Ti elements showed a high etching rate. On the other hand, the glass containing a high fluoride sublimation temperature component such as Ca, La, Gd, Y, and Zr exhibited high plasma resistance because the etch rate was lower than that of sapphire. Glass with low plasma resistance increased surface roughness after etching or nanoholes were formed on the surface, but glass with high plasma resistance showed little change in surface microstructure. Thus, the results of this study demonstrate the potential for the development of plasma-resistant glasses (PRGs) with other compositions besides alumino-silicate glasses, which are conventionally referred to as plasma-resistant glasses.