• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.110-117
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• 2013

PURPOSE. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is the most commonly used denture base material despite typically low in strength. The purpose of this study was to improve the physical properties of the PMMA based denture base resins (QC-20, Dentsply Ltd., Addlestone, UK; Stellon, AD International Ltd, Dentsply, Switzerland; Acron MC; GC Lab Technologies Inc., Alsip, Japan) by copolymerization mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Control group specimens were prepared according to the manufacturer recommendations. In the copolymer groups; resins were prepared with 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% acrylamide (AAm) (Merck, Hohenbrunn, Germany) content according to the moleculer weight ratio, respectively. Chemical structure was characterized by a Bruker Vertex-70 Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) (Bruker Optics Inc., Ettlingen, Germany). Hardness was determined using an universal hardness tester (Struers Duramin, Struers A/S, Ballerup, Denmark) equipped with a Vickers diamond penetrator. The glass transition temperature ($T_g$) of control and copolymers were evaluated by Perkin Elmer Diamond DSC (Perkin Elmer, Massachusetts,USA). Statistical analyses were carried out using the statistical package SPSS for Windows, version 15.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). The results were tested regarding the normality of distribution with the Shapiro Wilk test. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey test (P<.01). RESULTS. The copolymer synthesis was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. Glass transition temperature of the copolymer groups were higher than the control groups of the resins. The 10%, 15% and 20% copolymer groups of Stellon presented significantly higher than the control group in terms of hardness. 15% and 20% copolymer groups of Acron MC showed significantly higher hardness values when compared to the control group of the resin. Acrylamide addition did not affect the hardness of the QC-20 resin significantly. CONCLUSION. Within the limitation of this study, it can be concluded that copolymerization of PMMA with AAm increased the hardness value and glass transition temperature of PMMA denture base resins.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.26.1-26.12
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of conversion (DC) and mechanical properties of a microhybrid Filtek Z250 (3M ESPE) resin composite after aging. Method: The specimens were fabricated using circular molds to investigate Vickers microhardness (Vickers hardness number [VHN]) and DC, and were prepared according to ISO 4049 for flexural strength testing. The initial DC (%) of discs was recorded using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transforming infrared spectroscopy. The initial VHN of the specimens was measured using a microhardness tester under a load of 300 g for 15 seconds and the flexural strength test was carried out with a universal testing machine (crosshead speed, 0.5 mm/min). The specimens were then subjected to thermocycling in $5^{\circ}C$ and $55^{\circ}C$ water baths. Properties were assessed after 1,000-10,000 cycles of thermocycling. The surfaces were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance followed by the Tukey honest significant difference post hoc test. Results: Statistical analysis showed that DC tended to increase up to 4,000 cycles, with no significant changes. VHN and flexural strength values significantly decreased upon thermal cycling when compared to baseline (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between initial and post-thermocycling VHN results at 1,000 cycles. SEM images after aging showed deteriorative changes in the resin composite surfaces. Conclusions: The Z250 microhybrid resin composite showed reduced surface microhardness and flexural strength and increased DC after thermocycling.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2024

The effects of annealing heat treatment and the addition of Cu element on the shape memory effect of the NiTi-based alloy were investigated by analyzing differential scanning calorimeter results and characterizing recovery rate through 3D scanning after Vickers hardness test. Through 3D scanning of impressions after Vickers hardness test, the strain recovery rates for specimens without annealing treatment and annealed specimens at 400, 450, and 500℃ were measured as 45.96%, 46.76%, 52.37%, and 43.57%, respectively. This is because as the annealing temperature increases, both B19' and NiTi₂ phases, which can impede martensitic transformation, are incorporated within the NiTi matrix. Particularly, additional phase transformation from R-phase to B19' observed in specimens annealed at 400 and 450℃ significantly contributes to the improvement in strain recovery rates. Additionally, the results regarding the Cu element content indicate that when the total content of Ni and Cu is below 49.6 at.%, the precipitation of fine B19' and NiTi₂ phases within the matrix can greatly influence the transformation enthalpy and temperature range, resulting in relatively lower strain recovery rates in NiTi alloys with a small amount of Cu element produced in this study.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1.1-1.12
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to test the effect of 2 finishing-polishing sequences (QB, combining a 12/15-fluted finishing bur and an EVO-Light polisher; QWB, adding a 30-fluted polishing bur after the 12/15-fluted finishing bur used in the QB sequence) on 5 nanotech-based resin composites (Filtek Z500, Ceram X Mono, Ceram X Duo, Tetric Evoceram, and Tetric Evoceram Bulk Fill) by comparing their final surface roughness and hardness values to those of a Mylar strip control group (MS). Materials and Methods: Twelve specimens of each nanocomposite were prepared in Teflon moulds. The surface of each resin composite was finished with QB (5 samples), QWB (5 samples), or MS (2 samples), and then evaluated (60 samples). Roughness was analysed with an optical profilometer, microhardness was tested with a Vickers indenter, and the surfaces were examined by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Data were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.05) followed by the Dunn test. Results: For the hardness and roughness of nanocomposite resin, the QWB sequence was significantly more effective than QB (p < 0.05). The Filtek Z500 showed significantly harder surfaces regardless of the finishing-polishing sequence (p < 0.05). Conclusions: QWB yielded the best values of surface roughness and hardness. The hardness and roughness of the 5 nanocomposites presented less significant differences when QWB was used.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.1503-1512
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• 2013

In this study, we proposed an indentation evaluation method for fracture toughness using cohesive finite element simulations. First, we examined the effect of material properties (yield strain, Poisson's ratio, and elastic modulus) on crack size during Vickers indentation and then generated a regression formula that explains the relations among fracture toughness, indentation load, and crack size. We also proposed another indentation formula for fracture toughness evaluation using the contact size a and E/H (H: hardness). Finally, we examined the relation between the crack size and the indenter shapes. Based on this, we can generate from the formula obtained using the Vickers indenter a formula for an indenter of different shapes. Using the proposed method, fracture toughness is directly estimated from indentation data.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.187-199
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• 2009

Objectives : The electroacupuncture was generally has been used in oriental medicine doctors. In recent years, there have been a few studies about safety and stability of acupuncture needle in itself, but then again research of acupuncture needle safety and stability on applying electroacupuncture have been insignificant. Therefore we investigated the safety and change in mechanical characteristic of acupuncture needle in electroacupuncture therapy. Methods : We observed mechanical characteristic change by SEM(Scanning Electron Microscope) and EDX(Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy), evaluated the hardness by vickers hardness tester. We used MTT assay and cell stain to study about biocompatibility of electroacupuncture. Results : In this study, any corrosion of material, alternation of elements, and change of hardness were not observed in surface analysis using SEM and EDX. In cytotoxity evaluation using MTT assay and cell stain, cell survival rate was low when practicing the electroacupuncture for more than 3 hours. Conclusions : Change of mechanical property was not observed based on the test results using surface analysis and hardness estimation by the electroacupuncture. And considering the biocompatibility, electroacupuncture was thought to be safe in an hour based on cytotoxity evaluation using MTT assay and cell stain.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2018

Insulators used in overhead transmission lines are continuously exposed to a number of mechanical and electrical stresses owing to external environmental factors, resulting in corrosion, reduction in durability, and deterioration. Widely used porcelain insulators are fabricated with cement and porcelain and are especially common in Korea. Changes in the hardness and chemical reactivity of the cement increase the leakage and fault currents and increase the possibility of flashover due to insulation breakdown. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the durability and defects of porcelain insulators. Studies on the reliability of various evaluation methods are needed to prevent accidents by accurately determining the replacement timing and potential defects in porcelain insulators. In this study, the hardness of the cement part of the porcelain insulator was measured using the Vickers hardness test and its composition was analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The performance of the insulators was compared in two different regions with varying climatic conditions. This study presents an evaluation method of the defects in porcelain insulators by measuring humidity, which can also be used to assess the reliability of the insulators.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.120-127
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• 2013

A novel severe plastic deformation process named half channel angular extrusion (HCAE) is proposed in order to produce bulk UFG materials. In HCAE process, equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) and conventional forward extrusion process is integrated to increase the strain per pass and effectiveness of the SPD process. Three-dimensional finite element analysis was carried out to study the deformation behavior of the materials in the HCAE process. HCAE process was performed experimentally on commercially pure aluminum (AA1050) and micro-Vickers hardness test was used to measure the distribution of hardness on the section of normal to the extrusion direction. The results show that HCAE is able to impose more intensive strains per pass and give rise to higher micro-hardness than ECAE.

• Archives of Metallurgy and Materials
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.1311-1315
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• 2020

This study investigates the microstructures and the mechanical properties of equiatomic Ti₂₀Mo₂₀Ta₂₀Nb₂₀V₂₀ and non-equiatomic Ti₄₀Mo₁₅Ta₁₅Nb₁₅V₁₅ and Ti₆₀Mo₁₀Ta₁₀Nb₁₀V₁₀ HEAs using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and micro-Vickers hardness test. The specimens were fabricated using the vacuum arc remelting (VAR) process and homogenized at a temperature of 1300℃ for 4 h in a vacuum atmosphere. The determined thermodynamic parameters, Ω ≥ 1.1, δ ≤ 6.6%, and VEC < 6.87, suggested that the HEAs consisted of BCC solid solutions. XRD patterns of all the HEAs displayed single BCC phases. The difference in the solidification rate led to the micro-segregation associated with the elements Ta and Mo enriched in the dendrite arms and the elements V and Ti in the inter-dendritic regions. The HEA specimens showed a decrease in hardness with higher concentration of Ti element because the intrinsic hardness of Ti is lower as compared to the intrinsic hardness of Nb and Mo.

• The Korean Journal of Ceramics
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 1998

Diamond-like carbon(DLC) films were deposited on buffer-layered ZnS substrates by radio frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition(RF-PECVD) method. Ge and GeC buffer layera were used between DLC and ZnS substrates to promote the adhesion of DLC on ZnS substrates. Ge buffer layers were sputter deposited by RF magnetron sputtering and $GeC^1$ buffer layers were deposited by same method except using acetylene reactive gas. The relatinship between film properties and deposition conditions was investigated using gas pressure, RF power and dc bias voltage as PECVD parameters. The hardness of DLC films were measured by micro Vickers hardness test and the adhesion of DLC films on buffer-layered ZnS substrates were studied by Sebastian V stud pull tester. The optical properties of DLC films on butter-layered ZnS substrates were characterized by ellipsometer and FTIR spectroscopy.