Papers by Author: Min Ku Lee

Abstract: In this study, joining characteristics of dissimilar Ti and Cu metals have been investigated, when using both an Ag-based eutectic alloy as a filler and an Ag layer present on Ti base metal as a diffusion barrier. The observed microstructures were classified into three characteristic types, depending on the presence of a Ag layer at the Ti interface, e.g. first, the sample retaining thick continuous intermetallic layers, e.g. Ti2Cu, TiCu, Ti3Cu4, Ti2Cu3, and TiCu4 by a significant dissolution of the Ti atoms into the molten filler, in the absence of a Ag coating layer onto the Ti base metal, second, the sample with relatively thin Ti-Cu intermetallic layers by the reduced reaction of Ti with Cu due to a prominent decrease in the Ti dissolution, owing to the role of the Ag coating layer as a diffusion barrier, and finally, the sample without any brittle Ti-Cu intermetallics in the joint by a complete suppression of both the dissolution of the Ti atoms and its reaction with the Cu elements in the molten filler due to the presence of a Ag layer.

Abstract: The microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti joints brazed with a Zr41.2Ti13.8Ni10.0Cu12.5Be22.5 (at.%) amorphous filler were investigated. With a Zr-based amorphous filler, in this study, Ti joints with a homogeneous composition could be obtained by heating to well below the α-β transformation temperature for a short time, so that the undesirable effects of the high temperature heating are considerably diminished. The joints brazed at 790 °C for 10 min consisted of the coarse acicular structure rather than the fine Widmanstätten structure which generally deteriorates the ductility of the joints. The joints with the homogenous coarse acicular structure, i.e. without a residual liquid region, show almost the same mechanical properties as those required for base metals without heating. Although the residual liquid region in the joints deteriorates the ductility of the joints, this region could be successfully removed by a diminution in the quantity of the filler.

Abstract: In the present work, corrosion characteristics of ceramic dispersion strengthened (CDS) high-Cr stainless steel (SS) has been investigated. For the preparation of CDS SS with uniformly distributed reinforcements, TiC particles were mechanically activated with Cu powder by using high-energy ball mill machine, and then Cu-coated TiC particles were mixed with molten SS. Potentiodynamic polarization curves were experimentally measured on unmodified SS and CDS SS in 0.05 M NaCl solution. The values of corrosion potential Ecorr, corrosion current io, pitting potential Epit and polarization resistance Rp were quantitatively determined from the measured potentiodynamic polarization curves. From the result, it is concluded that CDS SS exhibits higher corrosion resistivity than unmodified SS.

Abstract: In order to select the most suitable solvent for the stable dispersion of Alloy 625 nanoparticles, we investigated the effects of several organic solvents on the dispersion stability. After preparing suspensions with a dispersant, we characterized the dispersion stability of the suspensions by means of visual inspection and Turbiscan transmission profiles. The dispersion stability of the solvents increased in the following order: ethyl acetate, xylene, toluene, 2-propanol, and ethanol. The polarity of the solvent affected the dispersion stability. The Alloy 625 nanoparticles were optimally dispersed in ethanol with the dispersant, Hypermer KD-2, which was stabilized by the steric effect of the dispersant.

Abstract: The n-type (95%Bi2Te3- 5%Bi2Se3) compound was newly fabricated by gas atomization and hot extrusion, which is considered to be a mass production technique of this alloy. The effect of powder size on thermoelectric properties of 0.04% SbI3 doped 95%Bi2Te3- 5%Bi2Se3 alloy were investigated. Seebeck coefficient (α) and Electrical resistivity (ρ) increased with increasing powder size due to the decrease in carrier concentration by oxygen content. With increasing powder size, the compressive strength of 95%Bi2Te3-5%Bi2Se3 alloy was increased due to the relative high density. The compound with ~300 μm size shows the highest power factor among the four different powder sizes. The rapidly solidified and hot extruded compound using 200~300 μm powder size shows the highest compressive strength.

Abstract: In this study, the colloidal stability and sedimentation behavior of crystalline TiO2 particles (∼300nm) in various organic solvents have been investigated by means of a backscattered light flux profile (Turbiscan) and a zeta potential measurement. The backscattered light flux profiles revealed that the TiO2 nanoparticles were readily sedimented in water, methyl alcohol, and ethyl alcohol due to a flocculation-induced particle growth, while a particle coalescence and a sedimentation of the TiO2 nanoparticles were hardly observed in isopropyl alcohol. The measured ζ potentials verified the differences of the colloidal stabilities of the TiO2 particles in the organic solvents, showing a good correlation with the migration velocity.

Abstract: The stoichiometric Ti50Ni50 alloy nanopowders were synthesized by levitational gas condensation (LGC) using micron powder feeding system and their particulate properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Brunauer- -Emmett-Teller (BET) method. The starting Ti and Ni micron powders ∼ 150μm were incorporated into the micron powder feeding system. The ingot type of Ti-Ni alloy was used as a seed material for levitation and evaporation reactions. The collected powders were finally passivated by oxidation. The x-ray diffraction experiments have shown that the synthesized powders were completely alloyed with 50Ti and 50Ni in at.% and comprised of two different cubic and monoclinic crystalline phases. The TEM results showed that the produced powders were a very fine and uniform with the spherical particle size of 18 to 32 nm. The typical thickness of passivated oxide layer on the particle surface was about 2 to 3 nm. The specific surface area of the Ti-Ni alloy nanopowders was 54.8 m2/g based on a BET method.

Abstract: In this study the effects of harder ultrafine Al2O3 particles on the mechanical milling of ductile Cu flakes (200mesh, 70μm) have been investigated. The small hard Al2O3 particle in the mixture acted as an effective milling agent not only by inducing a drastic change of the Cu morphology from flattened flakes to equiaxed crystals but also by reducing the milling time required for a uniform dispersion of Al2O3 in the Cu matrix. This was more pronounced as the Al2O3 concentration increased. A critical concentration of the reinforcing Al2O3 required for a shape change was observed at the range of 8 to 9wt. %. All the hard Al2O3 particles were uniformly embedded in the ductile Cu matrix regardless of the concentration of Al2O3. By increasing the milling time, the weldment and fragmentation of the Cu flakes became significant and a uniformly distributed equiaxed composite structure (13wt.% Al2O3) was obtained at above 70 min..

Abstract: Highly dense Y2O3 ceramics have been fabricated by a magnetic pulsed compaction (MPC) which is capable of reaching a sufficiently high pressure (~1GPa) in a very short duration (a few microseconds), and a subsequent pressureless sintering at 1600°C. The Y2O3 green bodies with a relative density of about 68% were achieved by the application of the MPC process due to the effect of an enhanced rearrangement and a high speed movement of the particles, without the help of ceramic binder. Those compacts showed densities greater than 95%, which is very close to the theoretical density, after the subsequent pressureless sintering process at 1600 oC. The shrinkage rates of the diameter for the samples compacted by the MPC process were markedly reduced, when compared to those for the ones by the conventional compaction (CC) process.