• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.47 no.12
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• pp.852-859
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• 2009

The manufacturing process of zirconium alloys is an import factor to increase their strength and corrosion resistance. In order to find an improved manufacturing process of zirconium alloys in both Zr-1Nb-1Sn-0.1Fe (Alloy-A) and Zr-1.5Nb-0.4Sn-0.2Fe-0.1Cr (HANA-4) for fuel guide tubes, sheet samples were prepared by applying two- and three-step processes that were controlled by an annealing and reduction condition. The mechanical strength and corrosion resistance of both alloys were increased by applying the twostep process rather than the three-step process. From a matrix analysis using TEM, the property improvement is related to the decrease of the precipitate mean diameter with an application of the two-step process. In a comparison of the strength and corrosion properties between Alloy-A and HANA-4, the performance of HANA-4 was feasible for application to fuel guide tubes.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.56 no.12
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• pp.845-853
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• 2018

To understand the effect of microstructural factors (i.e., the size of ${\alpha}$ phase, equiaxed vs bimodal structure) on high cycle fatigue (HCF) and fatigue crack propagation (FCP) behaviors of mill-annealed Ti-6Al-4V (Ti64) alloy, three specimens of EQ (equiaxed)-8 (8 indicates the size of ${\alpha}$ grain), BM (bimodal)-8, and BM-16 were studied. The uniaxial HCF and FCP tests were conducted at an R ratio of 0.1 under sinusoidal fatigue loading. The microstructural influence (i.e., EQ vs BM) was not significant on the tensile properties of mill-annealed Ti64 alloy, and showed an increase in tensile strength and elongation with decreasing gauge thickness from 50 mm to 1.3 mm. The microstructure, on the other hand, affected the resistance to HCF substantially. It was found that the EQ structure in mill-annealed Ti64 has better resistance to HCF than the BM structure, as a result of different crack initiation mechanism. Unlike HCF behavior, the effect of microstructural features on the FCP behavior of mill-annealed Ti64 was not significant. Among the three specimens, BM-16 specimen showed the highest near-threshold ΔK value, probably because it had the greatest slip reversibility with large ${\alpha}$ grains. The effect of microstructural factors on the HCF and FCP behaviors of mill-annealed Ti64 alloy are discussed based on fractographic and micrographic observations.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.264-269
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• 2011

Hydrogen and hydrogen energy have been recognized as clean energy sources and high energy carrier. Mg and Mg alloys are attractive hydrogen storage materials because of their lightweight and low cost materials with high hydrogen capacity (about 7.6 wt.%). However, the commercial applications of the Mg hydrides are currently hinder by its high absorption/desorption temperature, and very slow reaction kinetics. However, Ti and Ti based hydrogen storage alloys have been thought to be the third generation of alloys with a high hydrogen capacity, which makes it difficult to handle because of high reactivity. One of the most methods to develope kinetics was addition of transition metal. Therefore, Mg-Ti-Cr-Nb alloy was fabricated to add TiCrNb by hydrogen induced mechanical alloying. TiCrNb systems have included transition metals, low operating temperatures and hydrogen storage materials. As-received specimens were characterized using X-ray Diffraction analysis (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Thermo Gravimetric analysis/Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TG/DSC). $Mg-TiCr_{10}Nb$ systems were evaluated for hydrogen kinetics by Sievert's type Pressure-Composition-Isotherm (PCI) equipment. The operating temperature range was 473, 523, 573 and 623 K.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2011

The grain size and growth direction of a directionally solidified turbine blade were evaluated by the initial nucleation condition at the start block of directional solidification. The initial nucleation condition was controlled by inserting a Ni foil on the directional solidification plate of the directional solidification furnace. Fine grains with good orientation were obtained in the faster cooling condition at the start block. The nucleus number was compared with the cooling rate of the start block by electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD). DSC (differential scanning calorimeter) analysis was performed to compare the melting point and undercooling for nucleation of the coarse nuclei and fine nuclei of the start block. The faster cooling condition at the start block showed more undercooling for nucleation and smaller size of nuclei which resulted in a fine grain with good orientation in the directional turbine blade.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.47 no.8
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• pp.482-487
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• 2009

In order to investigate the effects of intermediate heat treatment between cold rolling passes on the hardness and corrosion properties of a Zr alloy incorporating Nb (Zr-1.49Nb-0.38Sn-0.20Fe-0.11Cr) strip, three different intermediate heat treatment processes ($580^{\circ}C{\times}4hrs$, $600^{\circ}C{\times}2hrs$ and $620^{\circ}{\times}1hrs$) were designed based on a recrystallization map and an accumulated annealing parameter. Test samples from the different processes were investigated by a hardness test, corrosion test, and microstructure analysis and appropriate heat-treatment conditions were thereupon proposed. The sample subjected to an intermediate heat treatment of $580^{\circ}C{\times}4hrs$ was harder than that undergoing $600^{\circ}C{\times}2hrs$ and $620^{\circ}C{\times}1hr$ while the corrosion resistance of the sample that received an intermediate heat treatment of $580^{\circ}C{\times}4hrs$ was superior to that of the other specimens. Considering the trade-off of hardness and corrosion resistance, an intermediate heat treatment process of $600^{\circ}C{\times}2hrs$ is proposed to improve the manufacturing process of the alloy strip.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.691-699
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• 2008

Electrochemical characteristics of Ti-30Ta-xZr alloys coated with HA/TiN by using magnetron sputtering method were studied. The Ti-30Ta containing Zr(3, 7, 10 and 15wt%) were 10 times melted to improve chemical homogeneity by using a vacuum furnace and then homogenized for 24hrs at $1000^{\circ}C$. The specimens were cut and polished for corrosion test and coating, and then coated with HA/TiN, respectively, by using DC and RF-magnetron sputtering method. The analyses of coated surface and coated layer were carried out by using optical microscope(OM), field emission scanning electron microscope(FE-SEM) and X-ray diffractometer(XRD). The electrochemical characteristics were examined using potentiodynamic (-1,500 mV~ + 2,000 mV) and A.C. impedance spectroscopy(100 kHz ~ 10 mHz) in 0.9% NaCl solution at $36.5{\pm}1^{\circ}C$. The microstructure of homogenized Ti-30Ta-xZr alloys showed needle-like structure. In case of homogenized Ti-30Ta-xZr alloys, a-peak was increased with increasing Zr content. The thickness of TiN and HA coated layer showed 400 nm and 100 nm, respectively. The corrosion resistance of HA/TiN-coated Ti-30Ta-xZr alloys were higher than that of the non-coated Ti-30TaxZr alloys, whic hindicate better protective effect. The polarization resistance($R_p$) value of HA/TiN coated Ti-30Ta-xZr alloys showed $8.40{\times}10^5{\Omega}cm^2$ which was higher than that of non-coated Ti-30Ta-xZr alloys.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2011

The mechanical properties of the various heat treatment conditions on Ti-15Mo-3Nb-3Al-0.2Si alloy plates were examined. XRD patterns from the surface of Ti-15Mo-3Nb-3Al-0.2Si were analyzed as a solution-treated Ti alloy has the single-phase ${\beta}$ structure whereas the aged Ti alloys have the ${\beta}$ matrix embedded with ${\alpha}$ needles. High strength (~1500 MPa) with decent ductility (7%) was obtained by the Ti alloy double aged at $300^{\circ}C$ and $520^{\circ}C$ for 8 hours each. The double-aged alloy exhibits the finer structure than the single-aged alloy at $300^{\circ}C$ for 8 hours because of the higher nucleation rate of ${\alpha}$ needles at an initial low aging temperature ($320^{\circ}C$). TEM observation revealed that the fine nanostructure with ${\alpha}$ needles in the ${\beta}$ matrix ensured the excellent mechanical properties in the double aged Ti-15Mo-3Nb-3Al-0.2Si alloy. In the solution treated alloy, the yield drop, stress-serrations and the ductility minimum typically associated with dynamic strain aging can be attributed to the dynamic interaction between dislocations and oxygen atoms. The yield drop and the stress serration were not observed in aged samples because the geometrically introduced dislocations due to phase precipitates suppressed the dynamic strain aging.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.47 no.10
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• pp.605-612
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• 2009

The suitability of twin roll strip casting for Ag-27.5%Cu-20.5%Zn-2.5%Mn-0.5%Ni brazing alloy (known as HS-49D) was examined in the present work and the mechanical properties and microstructure of the strip were also investigated. The effect of annealing heat treatment on the properties was also studied. The new manufacturing process has applications in the production of the brazing alloy. XRD and microstructural analyses of the Ag-27.5%Cu-20.5%Zn-2.5%Mn-0.5%Ni strip revealed a eutectic microstructure of an Ag-rich matrix (FCC) and a Cu-rich phase (FCC) regardless of heat treatment. The results of mechanical tests showed tensile strength of 434 MPa and 80% elongation for the twin roll casted strip. Tensile results showed decreasing strengths and increasing elongation with annealing heat treatment. Microstructural evolution and fractography were also investigated and related to the mechanical properties.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.46 no.12
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• pp.771-779
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• 2008

An effective way of increasing the strength and fracture toughness of reactor pressure vessel steels is to change the material specification from that of Mn-Mo-Ni low alloy steel(SA508 Gr.3) to Ni-Mo-Cr low alloy steel(SA508 Gr.4N). In this study, we evaluate the effects of alloying elements on the microstructural characteristics of Ni-Mo-Cr low alloy steel. The changes in the stable phase of the SA508 Gr.4N low alloy steel with alloying elements were evaluated by means of a thermodynamic calculation conducted with the software ThermoCalc. The changes were then compared with the observed microstructural results. The calculation of Ni-Mo-Cr low alloy steels confirms that the ferrite formation temperature decreases as the Ni content increases because of the austenite stabilization effect. Consequently, in the microscopic observation, the lath martensitic structure becomes finer as the Ni content increases. However, Ni does not affect the carbide phases such as $M_{23}C_6 $ and $M_7C_3$. When the Cr content decreases, the carbide phases become unstable and carbide coarsening can be observed. With an increase in the Mo content, the $M_2C$ phase becomes stable instead of the $M_7C_3$ phase. This behavior is also observed in TEM. From the calculation results and the observation results of the microstructure, the thermodynamic calculation can be used to predict the precipitation behavior.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2011

To investigate the relationship between heat treatment in zirconium alloy tubing process and metallurgical characteristics of Zr-1Nb-0.69Sn-0.11Fe alloy tubes, mechanical and oxidation behaviors of tubes heat treated at different temperatures after the final pilgering were investigated. The stress strain curves exhibited the saturation behaviors in all heat treatment conditions ($460{\sim}600^{\circ}C$) in this study with the onset strain of saturation increased with increase of post-pilgering annealing temperature. The strength fell off rapidly with increasing annealing temperature. The ultimate strength of the low tin Zr-1Nb-0.69Sn-0.11Fe alloy with slightly higher iron and oxygen contents in this study was found to be higher than Zr-1Nb-1Sn-0.1Fe alloy. The oxidation experiments in steam condition revealed that the corrosion resistance of low tin Zr-1Nb-0.69Sn-0.11Fe alloy was better than the Zr-1Nb-1Sn-0.1Fe alloy with a higher Sn content. The weight gain of low tin Zr-1Nb-0.69Sn-0.11Fe alloy tubes gradually increased with the increasing annealing temperature possibly due to the decreased Nb content in the matrix because of the formation of ${\beta}-Nb$ particles.