Artificial graphites have been used in various applications, for example, as anode materials for Li-ion batteries, C/C composites, and electrodes for aluminum smelting, due to their unique mechanical strength and high thermal and electrical conductivity. Artificial graphites can be manufactured by a series of kneading, molding, carbonization and graphitization processes with an additional impregnation process. In this study, the influence of the process variables in the kneading and carbonization/graphitization process on the properties of the resulting carbon block was systemically investigated. During the kneading process, the optimum kneading temperature was 90 °C higher than the softening point of the binder pitch; thus, the binder pitch reached its maximum fluidity. On the other hand, during the carbonization and graphitization process, the structural properties of carbon blocks prepared at different heat treatment temperatures were examined and their structural change and evolution were closely described according to the temperature and divided into low-temperature carbonization and high-temperature carbonization/graphitization. Based on this study, we expect to provide a better understanding of setting the parameters for thermally conductive carbon block manufacturing.

Purpose – This study empirically analyses the changes in unemployment rates to understand push factors of generating wage pressure and how it affects the aggregate demand in Korea and the United States. We use a structural macroeconomic model which is centered on the labor market and simultaneously explains the natural rate of unemployment and deviations. Research design, data and methodology – We attempt to empirically analyse the unemployment rates through two countries to analyse the economic effects of real wages and aggregate demand between 2000 and 2016. We introduce having estimated the whole model that the growth of unemployment into the part caused by each of these factors. Results – The results of this study show that in the long run, there is not only a natural level of employment but also a natural level of real demand are positively related. in the short run, demand can vary from bring about changes in employment by means of price or wage surprises. Conclusions – The pressure of demand in the labor market shows up strongly in both countries. The estimated labor-demand equation are consistent with this framework and generally have well defined real wage and demand effects.