• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.112-120
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• 1998

A nondestructive evaluation technique was developed for the quantitative determination of the reinforcement volume fractions in particulate reinforced metal matrix composites. The proposed technique employed a composite micromechanics which accounts for the microstructure of the composite medium together with the measurement of anisotropic electrical conductivity. When the measured conductivity was coupled with the theoretically predicted conductivity, the unknown reinforcement volume fraction was calculated. An analytical model based on the Mori-Tanaka method was described which relates the NDE signatures to the composite microstructure. The volume fractions were calculated using eddy current measurements made on a wide range of silicon carbide particulate ($SiC_p$) reinforced aluminum (Al) matrix composites. The calculated $SiC_p$ volume fractions were in good agreement with the measured volume fractions in the range of 0-30%. The technique was also found to be effective in estimating the total volume percentage of reinforcement and intermetallic compound formed during the processing stage.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.478-482
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• 2010

A series of molecular dynamic (MD), finite element (FE) and ab initio simulations are carried out to establish suitable modeling schemes for the continuum-based analysis of aluminum matrix nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). From a comparison of the MD with FE models and inferences based on bond structures and electron distributions, we propose that the effective thickness of a CNT wall for its continuum representation should be related to the graphitic inter-planar spacing of 3.4${\AA}$. We also show that shell element representation of a CNT structure in the FE models properly simulated the carbon-carbon covalent bonding and long-range interactions in terms of the load-displacement behaviors. Estimation of the effective interfacial elastic properties by ab initio simulations showed that the in-plane interfacial bond strength is negligibly weaker than the normal counterpart due to the nature of the weak secondary bonding at the CNT-Al interface. Therefore, we suggest that a third-phase solid element representation of the CNT-Al interface in nanocomposites is not physically meaningful and that spring or bar element representation of the weak interfacial bonding would be more appropriate as in the cases of polymer matrix counterparts. The possibility of treating the interface as a simply contacted phase boundary is also discussed.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.1551-1561
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• 2012

Boat or yacht hulls are mainly built using FRP composite materials. FRP boat hull manufacturing has been restricted since 2000 under international regulations on ocean environment safety. FRP composite materials cannot be recycled and require more than 100 years to biodegrade. Therefore, alternatives to FRP have been proposed by many boat builders. Steel, aluminum, and FRP are commonly used as boat hull materials. Their design specifications are proposed as Korean register of shipping. However, the design specifications for inexpensive materials for a small boat have not yet been studied. Small shipbuilders manufacture and sell HDPE canoes or HDPE kayaks. In this study, a hull form was designed based on actual boats. The thickness of an HDPE boat hull was determined based on ISO 12215-5 structural design specifications.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.435-440
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• 2023

This study aimed to enhance the thermal conductivity of B₄C/Al composite materials, commonly used in transport/storage containers for spent nuclear fuel, by incorporating both boron carbide (B₄C) and cubic boron nitride(cBN) as reinforcing agents in an aluminum (Al) matrix. The composite materials were successfully manufactured through a stir casting process and practical neutron-absorbing materials were obtained by rolling the fabricated composite ingot. The evaluation of the thermal conductivity of the fabricated composites was carried out because thermal conductivity is critical for neutron absorbing materials. The thermal conductivity measurement results indicated an approximately 3% increase in thermal conductivity under the same volume fraction when compared to composite materials using only B₄C particles. Through neutron absorption cross-sectional area calculations, it was confirmed that the neutron absorption capability decreased to a negligible level. Based on the findings of this study, new design approaches for neutron absorption materials are proposed, contributing to the development of high-performance transport/storage containers.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.133-139
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• 2007

Nickel powder was coated with aluminum nitrate solution to increase the thermal stability of a porous nickel support and control the nickel content in the Pd-Cu-Ni ternary alloyed membrane. Raw nickel powder and alumina coated nickel powder were uniaxialy pressed by home made press with metal cylindrical mold. Though the used nickel powder prepared by pulsed wire evaporation (PWE) method has a good thermal stability, the porous nickel support was too much sintered and the pores of porous nickel support was plugged at high temperature (over $800^{\circ}C$) making it not suitable for the porous support of a palladium based composite membrane. In order to overcome this problem, the nickel powder was coated by alumina and alumina modified porous nickel support resists up to $1000^{\circ}C$ without pore destruction. Furthermore, the compositions of Pd-Cu-Ni ternary alloy membrane prepared by magnetron sputtering and Cu-reflow could be controlled by not only Cu-reflow temperature but also alumina coating amount. SEM analysis and mercury porosimeter analysis evidenced that the alumina coated on the surface of nickel powder interrupted nickel sintering.

• Korean Journal of Computational Design and Engineering
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.389-396
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• 2016

The necessity for environment-friendly material development has emerged in the recent automotive field due to stricter regulations on fuel economy and environmental concerns. Accordingly, the automotive industry is paying attention to carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) material with high strength and stiffness properties while the lightweight. In this study, we determine a shape of lower control arm (LCA) for maximizing the strength and stiffness by optimizing the thickness of each layer when the stacking angle is fixed due to the CFRP manufacturing problems. Composite materials are laminated in the order of $0^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, and $-45^{\circ}$ with a symmetrical structure. For the approximate optimal design, we apply a sequential two-point diagonal quadratic approximate optimization (STDQAO) and use a process integrated design optimization (PIDO) code for this purpose. Based on the physical properties calculated within a predetermined range of laminate thickness, we perform the FEM analysis and verify whether it satisfies the load and stiffness conditions or not. These processes are repeated for successive improved objective function. Optimized CFRP LCA has the equivalent stiffness and strength with light weight structure when compared to conventional aluminum design.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.1099-1107
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• 2013

This study proposes a weight reduction design for urban transit, specifically, a Korean EMU carbody made of aluminum extrusion profiles, according to size optimization and useful material changes. First, the thickness of the under-frame, side-panels, and end-panels were optimized by the size optimization process, and then, the weight of the Korean EMU carbody could be reduced to approximately 14.8%. Second, the under-frame of the optimized carbody was substituted with a frame-type structure made of SMA 570, and then, the weight of the hybrid-type carbody was 3.8% lighter than that of the initial K-EMU. Finally, the under-frame and the roof-panel were substituted with a composite material sandwich to obtain an ultralight hybrid-type carbody. The weight of the ultralight hybrid-type carbody was 30% lighter than that of the initial K-EMU. All the resulting carbody models satisfied the design regulations of the domestic Performance Test Standard for Electrical Multiple Unit.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.267-275
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• 2001

Friction and wear properties of brake friction materials containing different metal fibers (Al, Cu or Steel fibers) were investigated. Based on a simple experimental formulation, friction materials with the same amount of metal fibers were tested using a pad-on-disk type friction tester. Two different materials (gray cast iron and aluminum metal matrix composite (MMC)) were used for disks rubbing against the friction materials. Results front ambient temperature tests revealed that the friction material containing Cu fibers sliding against gray cast iron disk showed a distinct negative $\mu$-v (friction coefficient vs. sliding velocity) relation implying possible stick-slip generation at low speeds. The negative $\mu$- v relation was not observed when the Cu-containing friction materials were rubbed against the Al-MMC counter surface. Elevated temperature tests showed that the friction level and the intensity of friction force oscillation were strongly affected by the thermal conductivity and melting temperature of metallic ingredients of the friction couple. Friction materials slid against cast iron disks exhibited higher friction coefficients than Al-MMC (metal matrix composite) disks during high temperature tests. On the other hand, high temperature test results suggested that copper fibers in the friction material improved fade resistance and that steel fibers were not compatible with Al-MMC disks showing severe material transfer and erratic friction behavior during sliding at elevated temperatures.

• Composites Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.9-17
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• 2007

Powder metallurgy has been employed for the development of SiC particle reinforced aluminum metal matrix composites by means of hot isotropic pressing and vacuum hot pressing. A material model based on micro-mechanical approach then has been presented for the processes. Densification occurs by the inelastic flow of matrix materials during the consolidation, and consequently it depends on many process conditions such as applied pressure, temperature and volume fraction of reinforcement. The model is implemented into finite element software so that the process simulation can be performed enabling the predicted relative density to be compared with experimental data. In order to determine the performance of finished products, further tensile test has been conducted using the developed specimens. The effect of internal void of the materials on mechanical properties therefore can be investigated.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.12-18
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• 2015

The ultimate goal of developing body is revealed the "lightweight" at latest EuroCarBody conference 2012 and the most core technology is joining process to make lightweight car body design. Accordingly, in this study, the car body assembly line for the assembly process applies to any introduction, particularly in the assembly of aluminum alloy and composite materials applied by the process for the introductory approached. Process were largely classified by welding (laser, arc, resistance, and friction stir welding), bonding (epoxy bonding) and mechanical fastening (FDS, SPR, Bolting and clinching). Applications for each process issues in the case and the applicable award was presented, based on the absolute strength of the test specimens and joining characteristics for comparative analysis were summarized. Finally, through this paper, we would tried to establish the characteristics of the joint for lightweight structure.