• Composites Research
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.243-248
• /
• 2016

Although thermoset carbon fiber composite bipolar plates not only have high mechanical properties but also high corrosion resistance in acid environment, high manufacturing cost and low bulk electrical conductivity are the biggest obstacle to overcome. In this research, thermoplastic polymer is employed for the matrix of carbon composite bipolar plate to increase both the manufacturing productivity and bulk electric conductivity of the bipolar plate. In order to increase the electrical conductivity and strength, plain type carbon fabric rather than chopped or unidirectional fibers is used. Also nano particles are embedded in the thermoplastic matrix to increase the bulk resistance of the bipolar plate. The area specific resistance and the mechanical strength of the developed bipolar plate are measured with respect to the environmental temperature and stack compaction pressure.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.305-311
• /
• 2001

$PbO-B_2O_3-SiO_2-Al_2O_3$, system was investigated for optical, thermal and electrical properties of transparent dielectric. We also studied the reaction between transparent dielectric and transparent electrode(Indium Tin Oxide, ITO) during firing. For the evaluation of properties, dielectrics were prepared under the conditions fired at 520~58$0^{\circ}C$ with 12$\mu\textrm{m}$ thickness. In the reaction between dielectrics and electrode(ITO), In ions diffused into dielectric layer, while Sn ion diffusion was not observed. The coefficient of thermal expansion, the dielectric constant, the glass transition temperature and the transmittance of the dielectric were greatly dependent on PbO content. The increase of the coefficient of thermal expansion and the dielectric constant were monitored by increasing PbO, while the glass transition temperature and the transmittance were decreased. With the increased $Al_2O_3/B_2O_3$ ratio, the coefficient of thermal expansion and the transmittance were decreased, while the dielectric constant was increased. The glass transition temperature did not change significantly.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.125-130
• /
• 2004

The effect of SiC particle size on the microstructures and mechanical properties of A1$_2$O$_3$-SiC composite was investigated. Two types of SiC powders having average particle sizes of 0.15 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ and 3 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ were used. The grain growth in the specimen containing 0.15 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ SiC was effectively inhibited due to the fine SiC particles. However, after the formation of some abnormal grains, fast and exaggerated grain growth occurred which led to the microstructure of large grains with irregular shape. Fracture strength decreased due to the abnormal large grains. On the other hand, for specimen containing 3 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ SiC showed normal grain growth behavior from initial sintering stage. Large SiC particles, however, effectively inhibited exaggerated grain growth after nucleation of a few abnormal grains. As a consequence, microstructure consisted of homogeneous elongated grains. In the A1$_2$O$_3$-2.5SiC(0.15 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$)-2.5SIC(3 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) composite fabricated by mixing the two types of SiC powder, abnormal grain growth occurred. However, the good fracture strength was maintained regardless of microstructural changes in this specimen.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.243-260
• /
• 2018

A literature review on the effects of high temperature and radiation on radiation shielding concrete in Spent Fuel Dry Storage is presented in this study with a focus on concrete degradation. The general threshold is $95^{\circ}C$ for preventing long-term degradation from high temperature, and it is suggested that the temperature gradient should be less than $60^{\circ}C$ to avoid crack generation in concrete structures. The amount of damage depends on the characteristics of the concrete mixture, and increases with the temperature and exposure time. The tensile strength of concrete is more susceptible than the compressive strength to degradation due to high temperature. Nuclear heating from radiation can be neglected under an incident energy flux density of $10^{10}MeV{\cdot}cm^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$. Neutron radiation of >$10^{19}n{\cdot}cm^{-2}$ or an integrated dose of gamma radiation exceeding $10^{10}$ rads can cause a reduction in the compressive and tensile strengths and the elastic moduli. When concrete is highly irradiated, changes in the mechanical properties are primarily caused by variation in water content resulting from high temperature, volume expansion, and crack generation. It is necessary to fully utilize previous research for effective technology development and licensing of a Korean dry storage system. This study can serve as important baseline data for developing domestic technology with regard to concrete casks of an SF (Spent Fuel) dry storage system.

• Elastomers and Composites
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.57-64
• /
• 2003

Metal oxide(MgO) was added to FKM rubber in order to develop automotive fuel hose which ran show elastic characteristics under extreme condition. Cure characteristics, physical properties, thermal resistance and fuel resistance of FKM compounded rubber with MgO were investigated. MgO was mixed to FKM rubber materials within the range of $0{\sim}20phr$. From the test results of rheological properties and Mooney viscosity, the $t_{s2}$, $T_{c90}$ values increased as the MgO contents increased in FKM rubber compounding. Hardness and 100% modulus of FKM compounded rubber slightly increased, but tensile strength and elongations at break slightly decreased. From the test results of thermal resistance of rubber specimens at 130, 150, and $170^{\circ}C$ for 70 hrs, the changing rate of physical properties was found to be relatively small. Fuel resistance tests were carried out for fuel A, B, C and D at $40^{\circ}C$ for 70hrs, and the results showed that the changing rate in physical properties was found to increase from Fuel A to D, Furthermore thermal properties of FKM compounded rubber containing MgO were also investigated by using TGA/DSC. The optimum mixing ratio of additive to FKM rubber to get the maximum effect on thermal resistance and fuel resistance, within the range of desirable specification for rubber material, was determined to be 6 phr for MgO.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.192-198
• /
• 2021

Due to enormous market growing of electric vehicles without combustion engine, reducing unwanted BSR (buzz, squeak, and rattle) noise is highly demanded for vehicle quality and performance. Particularly, innerbelt weatherstrips which not only block wind noise, rain, and dust from outside, but also reduce noise and vibration of door glass and vehicle are required to exhibit high damping properties for improved BSR performance of the vehicle. Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), which can be recycled and have lighter weight than thermoset elastomers, are receiving much attention for weatherstrip material, but TPEs exhibit low material damping and compression set causing frictional noise and vibration between the door glass and the weatherstrip. In this study, high damping EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer)/PP (polypropylene) thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) were investigated by varying EPDM/PP ratio and ENB (ethylidene norbornene) fraction in EPDM. Viscoelastic properties of TPV materials were characterized by assuming that the material damping is directly related to the viscoelasticity. The optimum material damping factor (tanδ peak 0.611) was achieved with low PP ratio (14 wt%) and high ENB fraction (8.9 wt%), which was increased by 140% compared to the reference (tanδ 0.254). The improved damping is believed due to high fraction of flexible EPDM chains and higher interfacial slippage area of EPDM particles generated by increasing ENB fraction in EPDM. The stick-slip test was conducted to characterize frictional noise and vibration of the TPV weatherstrip. With improved TPV material damping, the acceleration peak of frictional vibration decreased by about 57.9%. This finding can not only improve BSR performance of electric vehicles by designing material damping of weatherstrips but also contribute to various structural applications such as urban air mobility or aircrafts, which require lightweight and high damping properties.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.81-86
• /
• 1996

The physical properties of epoxy molding compound (EMC) according to the change of softening point of epoxy resin have been investigated in order to study the relationship between the properties of o-cresol novolac epoxy resin, which is main component of EMC for semiconductor encapsulation, and EMC. The softening points of used epoxy resin are 65.1 $^{\circ}C$, 72.2 $^{\circ}C$, and 83.0 $^{\circ}C$, respectively. The flexural strength and flexural modulus as mechanical properties were measured, and thermal expansion coefficient, thermal conductivity and glass transition temperature (Tg) as thermal properties, and spiral flow as moldability have been investigated to see the change of physical properties of EMC. The flexural modulus, thermal expansion coefficients in the glass state (${\alpha}_1$), and thermal conductivity of EMC were found to be keep constant value irrespective of the change of softening point, but Tg increased with softening point of epoxy resin, and the spiral flow decreased with that. It can be considered that these phenomena are due to the increase of crosslinking density of EMC according to the increase of softening point. The transition points were found out in the thermal expansion coefficient data in the rubbery state (${\alpha}_2$) and the flexural strength data. These can show the decrease of filler dispersion according to increase of epoxy resin viscosity.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.194-205
• /
• 1994

In this research, we attempt to fabricate an excellent CFRC(Carbon Fiber Reinforced Carbon), which has good thermal and mechanical properties, with 8H/satin woven fabric prepreg, high modulus and high strength type continuous carbon fiber and raw coal tar pitch(RCTP) matrix or THF soluble fraction(THFSP) matrix which has good graphitizability. Green bodies were fabricated with hot press molding technique and CFRC samples were made after carbonization, impregnation, recarbonization and graphitization steps. For the purpose of characterization of the physical properties, SEM, polarized light microscope, TGA were observed, and tested flexural strength, modulus and ILSS. After heat treating the THFSP matrix up to $2300^{\circ}C$, the value of $C_0$/2 was 3.380$\AA$, which is analogous to the structure of natural graphite and the value of 2$\theta$ is $26.276^{\circ}$ approached to the Bragg's angle of natural graphite. As a result of TGA to test the high temperature air oxidation, the THFSP matrix, graphitized up to $2300^{\circ}C$, exhibited the best air oxidation resistance. And mechanical properties were increased up to 65~70% as fiber volume fraction increased. Because of the good orientation graphitizability, the fracture surface of THFSP matrix CFRC is very good.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.221-230
• /
• 1999

A new technique for the preparation of porous polyurethane vascular prostheses was investigated. Synthetic vascular grafts with porous wall have been widely proposed, claiming that strength, suture retention, kink resistance, and other handling properties are improved over those with nonporous solid wall. Related to these facts, the control of pores and compliance match have been very important and interesting issues. Two kinds of polymer sheets were compared. One was the porous PU-sheet made at room temerature by the solvent/non-solvent exchange. And the other was the porous PU-sheet fabricated by thermal phase transition and solvent/non-solvent exchange in the thermal controlled bath. According to the result of the above experiments, polyurethane solution was injected into a mold designed for U-type graft. After freezing at low temperature, solvent was dissolved out with alcohol at < $0^{\circ}C$ and water at room temperature to form porous vessels. The average pore size and pore occupation were easily changed by changing polyurethane concentration and freezing rate. This technique can give a proper pore size for tissue ingrowth, and suitable compliances for matching with arteries and veins. In addition, the fabrication of more complicated shaped vessels such as the U-type vascular grafts is easily controlled by using a mold. This method might give a desired compliact graft for artificial implantaion with the commercially available medical polymers.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.126-131
• /
• 2023

Growing environmental concerns regarding pollution caused by conventional plastics have increased interest in biodegradable polymers as alternative materials. The purpose of this study is to develop a 100% biodegradable nanocomposite material by introducing organic nucleating agents into the biodegradable and thermoplastic resin, poly(lactic acid), to improve its properties. Accordingly, cellulose nanofibers, an eco-friendly material, were adopted as a substitute for inorganic nucleating agents. To achieve a uniform dispersion of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) within PLA, the aqueous solution of nanofibers was lyophilized to maintain their fibrous shape. Then, they were subjected to primary mixing using a twin-screw extruder. Test specimens with double mixing were then produced by injection molding. Differential scanning calorimetry was employed to confirm the reinforced physical properties, and it was found that the addition of 1 wt% CNFs acted as a reinforcing material and nucleating agent, reducing the cold crystallization temperature by approximately 14℃ and increasing the degree of crystallization. This study provides an environmentally friendly alternative for developing plastic materials with enhanced properties, which can contribute to a sustainable future without consuming inorganic nucleating agents. It serves as a basis for developing 100% biodegradable green nanocomposites.