Papers by Author: Yong Ho Park

Abstract: The Bi–Te thermoelectric system shows an excellent figure of merit (ZT) near room temperature. Research on increasing the ZT value for n‑type Bi–Te is imperative because the thermoelectric properties of this compound are inferior to those of the p-type material. For this purpose, n-type Bi₂Te_3-ySe_y powders with various amounts of Se dopant (0.3 ≤ y ≤ 0.6) were synthesized by a vacuum melting-grinding process to improve the physical properties. The ZT value of the sintered bodies was investigated in the temperature range of 298–423 K with regard to the electrical and thermal characteristics. As the Se content increased, the electrical conductivity decreased owing to a reduction in the carrier concentration, which improved the overall value of ZT. The thermal conductivity clearly decreased as the Se content increased in the temperature range of 298–373 K due to increased alloy scattering, as well as a reduction in the lattice thermal conductivity caused by crystal grain boundary scattering. At room temperature, Bi₂Te_2.7Se_0.3 (y = 0.3) exhibited the highest ZT of 0.85. At increased temperatures, the ZT value was highest for Bi₂Te_2.55Se_0.45 (y = 0.45), indicating that the optimal effect of the Se dopants varies depending on the temperature range.

Abstract: The effect of the holding time on the surface hardening of commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) by thermo-chemical treatment (TCT) process was studied in the present paper. Surface treatments with three different times were carried out and investigated. The TCT process using nitrogen gas was carried out under vacuum atmosphere in treatment time (0.5, 1, 2 h) at 800 °C (thermo-chemical nitriding temperatures). The hardened surface was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) to observe the microstructure of cross-sections of TCT-treated specimens. In observations of the gradient-hardened inner-layer, as the holding time was increased the layer thicker and the depth of the Ti2N + TiNx layer was higher. And the specimen thickness of Ti2N and TiNx layers, measured from cross-section specimen was about 9 μm, 10 μm and 13 μm, respectively.

Abstract: Carbon Nano Tube (CNT) reinforced AZ91 metal matrix composites (MMC) were fabricated by the squeeze infiltrated method. Properties of magnesium alloys have been improved by impurity reduction, surface treatment and alloy design, and thus the usage for the magnesium alloys has been extended recently. However there still remain barriers for the adaption of magnesium alloys for engineering materials. In this study, we report light-weight, high strength heat resistant magnesium matrix composites. Microstructural study and tensile test were performed for the squeeze infiltrated magnesium matrix composites. The wear properties were characterized and the possibility for the application to automotive power train and engine parts was investigated. It was found that the squeeze infiltration technique is a proper method to fabricate magnesium matrix composites reducing casting defects such as pores and matrix/reinforcement interface separation etc. Improved tensile and mechanical properties were obtained with CNT reinforcing magnesium alloys

Abstract: The fracture behavior of Mg-5Al-1Zn and Mg-5Al-1Zn-3Sn alloy was investigated by direct observation of microfracture process using an in-situ loading stage installed inside a scanning electron microscope chamber. Crack was initiated at the interface of Mg/second-phase particles or second-phase particles. Fracture of the alloys was predominantly dimple or/and quasi-cleavage failure. The improvement of what could be explained by mechanisms of blocking of crack or shear band propagation, formation of multiple shear bands, crack blunting and shear band branching.

Abstract: In the present work, the effect of Sn addition on the corrosion behavior of Mg–5Al–1Zn alloys was investigated. Microstructure, potentiodynamic polarization and immersion tests were carried out in 3.5% NaCl solution of pH 7.2 to estimate the corrosion behavior of AZ51 alloys with and without Sn addition. Mg17Al12 and Mg2Sn phases were mainly precipitated in inter-dendrite structures. With increasing the Sn content, the volume fraction of the Mg2Sn phase was increased and coarsening tendency was observed. The corrosion resistance was increased by Sn addition. Especially, the AZ51-5wt.%Sn alloy characterized the superior corrosion resistance among the four alloys. The Sn is known for a high hydrogen overvoltage and the secondary phases effectively formed the network structure, resulting in a drastically decreasing corrosion rate of AZ51 alloy.

Abstract: Electrodeposition behavior and thermoelectric properties of the p-type (Bi,Sb)2Te3 films were investigated for thermoelectric energy conversion and nanowire applications. Composition and thermoelectric properties of the electrodeposited (Bi,Sb)2Te3 films were strongly dependent on the electrodeposition current density. The (Bi,Sb)2Te3 films electrodeposited in a 30mM solution of the 5mM Bi-15mM Sb-10mM Te concentration at current densities of 0.3~0.5 mA/cm2 exhibited the power factors of 2~3.4 ×10-4 W/K2-m, which were equivalent to the values reported for the sputter-deposited (Bi,Sb)2Te3 films.

Abstract: P-type thermoelectric material Si0.8Ge0.2 was fabricated by mechanical alloying(MA) and Hot-Press Process(HP) The effect of Boron(0.25~2wt%) addition on the thermoelectric properties of p-type Si0.8Ge0.2 alloy was reported. Experiments showed that the electrical conductivity decreased with Boron content at temperature ranging from 500K to 1250K. The carrier concentration measured by the Hall effect measurement also decreased as a function of doping level. With increasing temperature, the Seebeck coefficient and the power factor increased with boron content. Based on measured results, the Figure of Merit (Z) value of 0.5 wt% Si0.8Ge0.2 alloy increased with the small addition of Boron, and reached maximum rapidly; the Z value was 0.9×10-3/K, the highest value among the prepared alloys.

Abstract: The direct extrusion process using the powder as raw materials was applied to prepare the thermoelectric materials. The mechanically alloyed powders of Ag added (Bi0.25Sb0.75)2Te3 were extruded by pulse discharge sintering method in the temperature range of 345°C ~ 425°C. High quality products were obtained by hot-extrusion method and their texture and thermoelectric properties were measured. The intensity of (110) plane increased with extrusion temperature up to 385°C and altered in the range of above 405°C
which coincided with the variation of power factor. The measured Power factor ranged from 3.5 ~ 4.0 × 10-3 W/K2·m. The figure of merit (Z) of the material extruded at 385°C was 3.1 × 10-3 /K, the highest value among the prepared materials.

Abstract: AZ31 Mg alloy matrix composites were fabricated by squeeze casting method to improve high temperature properties in this study. The results showed that Mg composites reinforced with Alborex and Ag revealed improved high temperature properties and mechanical properties compared with Mg alloys. High temperature hardness and flexural strength were increased with reinforcement of Alborex, and further increase was obtained with addition of Ag. Also, Alborex reinforced AZ31 containing Ag Mg matrix composite exhibited greater improvement on creep properties. Therefore Mg composites reinforced with Alborex containing Ag were better than those reinforced with Alborex in mechanical properties and high temperature properties.

Abstract: A copper matrix composite reinforced with in situ TiB2 nanoparticle was successfully fabricated by tubulent in-situ mixing process. The microstructure, mechanical and electrical properties of the in situ composite were investigated. The results showed that the in situ formed TiB2 particles, in which size varying from about 50nm to 200nm, exhibited a homogenous dispersion in the copper matrix. It is shown that the interface between the nanoscale particles and the matrix was clean without a transitional layer. Because of the reinforcement, the hardness and Young’s Modulus of the composite improved with increment of cooling rate. Moreover, the in situ Cu-TiB2 composite exhibited higher electrical conductivity with increasing of cooling rate.