Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (“KAERI”) has been developing pyroprocess technology for the sustainable use of nuclear energy and radioactive waste reduction, and is conducting design studies for a Pyroprocess Commercializing Research Facility (PCRF). High-level radioactive materials such as spent nuclear fuel, which are handled in the hot cell of the PCRF, physically change materials directly or cause chemical changes through ionization or excitation depending on the energy and types of radiation. Therefore, all facilities, including process equipment and remote handling equipment, installed into the hot cell must be evaluated for radiation hardness to be maintained in the radiological environmfent so that processes can proceed throughout the design life of the facility. In addition, as the maintenance paradigm has recently shifted from corrective maintenance to predictive maintenance, it is necessary to know in advance the condition of the equipment or facility in the radiological environment. In this study, an analysis of the radiation environment of the hot cell in the PCRF was conducted through source term, and the radiological dose impact was evaluated through the results of irradiation experiments of major components by reference data. Then, the actual dose contribution was identified through dose assessment using the MCNP code based on the pyroprocess equipment, and the radiation hardness requirements for the facility and equipment in the hot cell were derived by the above results.

This study aimed to address the limitations of traditional plasma nitriding methods by implementing a short-term plasma oxy-nitriding treatment on the surface of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel. This treatment involved the sequential formation of nitride and oxide layers, to enhance surface hardness and corrosion resistance, respectively. The process resulted in the formation of a 20 μm-thick nitride layer and a 3 μm-thick oxide layer on the steel surface. Initially, the hardness increased by 2.2 times after nitriding, followed by a subsequent decrease of approximately 31 % after oxidation. While the nitriding process reduced corrosion resistance, the subsequent oxidation process led to the formation of a passive oxide film, effectively resolving this issue. The pitting corrosion of the oxide passive film started at 82.6 mVssc, providing better corrosion resistance characteristics than the nitride layer. Consequently, the trade-off between surface hardness and corrosion resistance in plasma oxy-nitrided AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel is anticipated to be recognized as an innovative and comprehensive surface treatment process for biomedical components.

In this study, machine learning models are proposed to predict the Vickers hardness of AlSi10Mg alloys fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). A total of 113 utilizable datasets were collected from the literature. The hyperparameters of the machine-learning models were adjusted to select an accurate predictive model. The random forest regression (RFR) model showed the best performance compared to support vector regression, artificial neural networks, and k-nearest neighbors. The variable importance and prediction mechanisms of the RFR were discussed by Shapley additive explanation (SHAP). Aging time had the greatest influence on the Vickers hardness, followed by solution time, solution temperature, layer thickness, scan speed, power, aging temperature, average particle size, and hatching distance. Detailed prediction mechanisms for RFR are analyzed using SHAP dependence plots.

This study assessed the influences of fluorine introduced into DLC films on the structural and mechanical properties of the sample. In addition, the effects of the fluorine incorporation on the compressive stress in DLC films were investigated. For this purpose, fluorinated diamond-like carbon (F-DLC) films were deposited on cobalt-chromium-molybdenum substrates using radio-frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor. The coatings were examined by Raman scattering (RS), Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis (ATR-FTIR), and a combination of elastic recoil detection analysis and Rutherford backscattering (ERDA-RBS). Nano-indentation tests were performed to measure hardness. Also, the residual stress of the films was calculated by the Stony equation. The ATR-FTIR analysis revealed that F was present in the amorphous matrix mainly as C-F and C-F2 groups. Based on Raman spectroscopy results, it was determined that F made the DLC films more graphitic. Additionally, it was shown that adding F into the DLC coating resulted in weaker mechanical properties and the F-DLC coating exhibited lower stress than DLC films. These effects were attributed to the replacement of strong C = C by feebler C-F bonds in the F-DLC films. F-doping decreased the hardness of the DLC from 11.5 to 8.8 GPa. In addition, with F addition, the compressive stress of the DLC sample decreased from 1 to 0.7 GPa.

A new strawberry cultivar ‘Misohyang’ was originated from the cross between ‘Darselect’ and ‘Wongyo 3111’ in 2009. Among hybrids, ‘Misohyang’, a superior individual possessing vigorous growth, capacity to early differentiate flower buds, and excellent physiological characteristics, was selected. Several tests conducted from 2012 to 2014 revealed that this cultivar was suitable for forcing culture due to its faster flowering and harvest time than ‘Seolhyang’. Fruits of ‘Misohyang’ were conical in shape with a red color, which turned dark red color when fruits were fully ripened. Although sugar contents in ‘Misohyang’ fruits were lower than those in ‘Seolhyang’, their aromatic properties were excellent in terms of synergy effect on perception of sweet flavor. In addition, ‘Misohyang’ fruits could maintain high hardness despite a warm temperature during spring. These physiological characteristics of fruits contribute to its high yields in spring, with an average fruit weight of 20 g. Regarding disease resistance, ‘Misohyang’ showed sensitivity to powdery mildew during nursery period and fruit ripening stage. Since the cultivar ‘Misohyang’ has an excellent flavor with attractive red color, sustainable hardness, and high yields in spring, it is expected to be popularly consumed not only for its fresh fruits, but also for its processed fruits.

This study was evaluated based on the items of KS B 6389. The study on the calculation of angular error and measurement uncertainty of HRc hardness measurement using statistical techniques using Rockwell measurement specimens with different hardness values ​​was analyzed, and the results were derived according to the change in the angle of the indenter part of the hardness tester and the specimen. As a result of the experiment, the test statistic P values ​​for angle changes such as 0°, 1°, and 2° were all 0.000 using the HRc 30 and 40 measurement specimens, so it was confirmed through the experiment that a significant difference occurred between them. In addition, the extended uncertainty value was calculated as 0.612 at the 95.45% confidence level, and the fact that the hardness test value came out smaller than the existing test value as the inclination angle increased was verified through experiments.

The effect of the laser beam diameter on the microstructure and hardness of 17-4 PH stainless steel manufactured via the directed energy deposition process is investigated. The pore size and area fraction are much lower using a laser beam diameter of 1.0 mm compared with those observed using a laser beam diameter of 1.8 mm. Additionally, using a relatively larger beam diameter results in pores in the form of incomplete melting. Martensite and retained austenite are observed under both conditions. A smaller width of the weld track and overlapping area are observed in the sample fabricated with a 1.0 mm beam diameter. This difference appears to be mainly caused by the energy density based on the variation in the beam diameter. The sample prepared with a beam diameter of 1.0 mm had a higher hardness near the substrate than that prepared with a 1.8 mm beam diameter, which may be influenced by the degree of melt mixing between the 17-4 PH metal powder and carbon steel substrate.

Predicting the quality of materials after they are subjected to plasma sintering is a challenging task because of the non-linear relationships between the process variables and mechanical properties. Furthermore, the variables governing the sintering process affect the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the final product. Therefore, an artificial neural network modeling was carried out to correlate the parameters of the spark plasma sintering process with the densification and hardness values of Ti-6Al-4V alloys dispersed with nano-sized TiN particles. The relative density (%), effective density (g/cm3), and hardness (HV) were estimated as functions of sintering temperature (oC), time (min), and composition (change in % TiN). A total of 20 datasets were collected from the open literature to develop the model. The high-level accuracy in model predictions (>80%) discloses the complex relationships among the sintering process variables, product quality, and mechanical performance. Further, the effect of sintering temperature, time, and TiN percentage on the density and hardness values were quantitatively estimated with the help of the developed model.

This study was conducted to secure basic information for corn processing by comparing the quality characteristics according to maize cultivars and kernel types (dent, intermediate, flint-like). As a result of analyzing 15 cultivars, a range of measurements were observed: 100-kernel weight, 22.89~35.63 g; moisture, 7.57~8.42%; crude protein, 8.46~11.45%; crude lipids, 3.26~4.83%; Hunter’s L-value, 83.70~86.79; a-value, 2.61~5.49; b-value, 22.01~28.15; and total carotenoids, 6.74~17.07 μg/g. Significance among the cultivars was shown in all quality characteristics (p<0.001), but the significance among the kernel types was found only in crude protein (p<0.005), crude fat (p<0.001), and Hunter’s L-value (p<0.05). The hardness of maize was decreased proportionally to the soaking time for all maize cultivars (p<0.001). In particular, with the same soaking time for different kernel types, the hardness difference was shown in the order of flint-like > dent ≒ intermediate. It was confirmed that the decrease in the hardness of flint-like kernel of close to that of hard-type starch was slowed compare dent and intermediate kernels. So it is expected the some characteristic of kernel types will contribute to the appropriate customized use of the developed cultivars.

A variety of composite powders having different aluminum and carbon contents are prepared using various organic solvents having different amounts of carbon atoms in unit volume as ball milling agents for titanium and aluminum ball milling. The effects of substrate temperature and post-heat treatment on the texture and hardness of the coating are investigated by spraying with this reduced pressure plasma spray. The aluminum part of the composite powder evaporates during spraying, so that the film aluminum content is 30.9 mass%~37.4 mass% and the carbon content is 0.64 mass%~1.69 mass%. The main constituent phase of the coating formed on the water-cooled substrate is a non-planar α2 phase, obtained by supersaturated carbon regardless of the alloy composition. When these films are heat-treated at 1123 K, the main constituent phase becomes  phase, and fine Ti2AlC precipitates to increase the film hardness. However, when heat treatment is performed at a higher temperature, the hardness is lowered. The main constitutional phase of the coating formed on the preheated substrate is an equilibrium gamma phase, and fine Ti2AlC precipitates. The hardness of this coating is much higher than the hardness of the coating in the sprayed state formed on the water-cooled substrate. When hot pressing is applied to the coating, the porosity decreases but hardness also decreases because Ti2AlC grows. The amount of Ti2AlC in the hot-pressed film is 4.9 vol% to 15.3 vol%, depending on the carbon content of the film.

The prediction of Jominy hardness curves and the effect of alloying elements on the hardenability of boron steels (19 different steels) are investigated using multiple regression analysis. To evaluate the hardenability of boron steels, Jominy end quenching tests are performed. Regardless of the alloy type, lath martensite structure is observed at the quenching end, and ferrite and pearlite structures are detected in the core. Some bainite microstructure also appears in areas where hardness is sharply reduced. Through multiple regression analysis method, the average multiplying factor (regression coefficient) for each alloying element is derived. As a result, B is found to be 6308.6, C is 71.5, Si is 59.4, Mn is 25.5, Ti is 13.8, and Cr is 24.5. The valid concentration ranges of the main alloying elements are 19 ppm < B < 28 ppm, 0.17 < C < 0.27 wt%, 0.19 < Si < 0.30 wt%, 0.75 < Mn < 1.15 wt%, 0.15 < Cr < 0.82 wt%, and 3 < N < 7 ppm. It is possible to predict changes of hardenability and hardness curves based on the above method. In the validation results of the multiple regression analysis, it is confirmed that the measured hardness values are within the error range of the predicted curves, regardless of alloy type.

An artificial neural network (ANN) model is developed for the analysis and simulation of correlation between flake powder metallurgy parameters and properties of AA2024-SiC nanocomposites. The input parameters of the model are AA 2024 matrix size, ball milling time, and weight percentage of SiC nanoparticles and the output parameters are density and hardness. The model can predict the density and hardness of the unseen test data with a correlation of 0.986 beyond the experimental data. A user interface is designed to predict properties at new instances. We have used the model to simulate the individual as well as the combined influence of parameters on the properties. Moreover, we have analyzed the calculated results from the powder metallurgical point of view. The developed model can be used as a guide for further composite development.

In this study, hardness, which is one of the most important texture properties of meat products, was investigated in order to evaluate the potential of using crushed meat products as food for seniors. The hardness of crushed meat products in the Korean market, such as hamburg steak (12 products), meatball (8 products), ddeokgalbi (rib patties, 13 products), and wanja (meat dumplings, 10 products) were analyzed through a texture analyzer. Also, the hardness of UDF 1st grade hamburg steak (Japanese care food) was assessed in comparison with the texture characteristics of crushed meat products. The mean value of hardness of 43 crushed meat products purchased in the Korean market was 64,733±12,319 N/m2 (23,650-102,780 N/m2) while the hardness of UDF 1st grade product was 50,910±4,990 N/m2. The hardness of 16 crushed meat products was not significantly different from that of UDF 1st grade products (p<0.05). On the other hand, crushed meat products had higher relative standard deviation (RSD, %) values of hardness (mean: 19.6%, from 7.8 to 43.1%) than the RSD of UDF 1st grade products (9.8%) except for three products. Therefore, crushed meat products could be a developable “food for seniors” if deviations of texture are minimized. These findings on texture properties could be an effective data base for the development and quality control of “food for seniors” using meat materials.

본 연구는 국립공원 신규 탐방로 개방 전․후 초기 토양경도의 변화를 알아보기 위해 실시하였다. 연구대상지는 2018년 5월 16일에 개방된 설악산국립공원 점봉산 곰배골 신규 탐방로이며, 조사시기는 탐방로 개방 전 2018년 4월 27일과 탐방로 개방 후 2018년 6월 23일에 실시하였다. 토양경도 측정은 미국 Foresty Suppliers, Inc.사의 토양경도계를 이용하였으며, 분석은 Spss ver.23을 통해 시행하였다. 탐방로 개방에 따른 탐방로 좌․내․우측의 토양경도를 비교 한 결과, 탐방로 내의 토양경도는 개방 전 2.00±1.09kg/㎠에서 개방 후 3.72±0.70kg/㎠로 높아졌으며, 탐방로 좌측의 토양 경도는 개방 전 0.46±0.45kg/㎠에서 개방 후 0.98±0.68kg/㎠로, 탐방로 우측의 토양경도는 개방 전 0.51±0.42kg/㎠에서 개방 후 0.76±0.52kg/㎠로 나타났다. 탐방로 유형별(계곡, 사면)의 토양경도를 비교한 결과, 탐방로 좌측은 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났으나, 탐방로 내와 우측은 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 탐방로의 토양경도는 계곡부와 사면부 등 지형 유형과 관계없이 탐방로 개방 후에 높아졌다. 본 연구의 시사점은 국립공원에서의 탐방 등 레크레이션 에 의한 생태적 영향 규명과 국립공원 핵심 서식지에서의 보전 관리 지표를 개발하는데 유용하게 활용될 것으로 판단된다.

This paper presents a study of the microstructure and mechanical properties of commercial high-hardness armor (HHA) steels tempered at different temperatures. Although the as-received specimens of all the steels exhibit a tempered martensite structure with lath type morphology, the A steel, which has the smallest carbon content, had the lowest hardness due to reduced solid solution hardening and larger lath thickness, irrespective of tempering conditions. As the tempering temperature increases, the hardness of the steels steadily decreases because dislocation density decreases and the lath thickness of martensite increases due to recovery and over-aging effects. When the variations in hardness plotted as a function of tempering temperature are compared with the hardness of the as-received specimens, it seems that the B steel, which has the highest yield and tensile strengths, is fabricated by quenching, while the other steels are fabricated by quenching and tempering. On the other hand, the impact properties of the steels are affected by specimen orientation and test temperature as well as microstructure. Based on these results, the effect of tempering on the microstructure and mechanical properties of commercial high-hardness armor steels is discussed.

The microstructure and mechanical characteristics of SUS630 specimens fabricated using the direct energy deposition (DED) process are investigated. In DED, several process parameters such as laser scan speed, chamber gas flow, powder carrier gas flow, and powder feed rate are kept fixed; the laser power is changed as 150 W, 180 W, and 210 W. As the laser power increases, the surface becomes smooth, the thickness uniformity improves, and the size and number of pores decreases. With the increase in laser power, the hardness deviation decreases and the average hardness increases. The microstructure of the material is columnar; pores are formed preferentially along the columnar interface. The lath-martensite phase governs the overall microstructure. The volumetric fraction of the retained austenite phase is measured to increase with the increase of laser input power.

관수장치는 이상기후로 인한 농업의 용수절감 대책에서 매우 중요한 역할을 하고 있다. 그러나 우리나 라의 관수장치의 개발 역사나 기술은 관수 선진국에 비해 70~80% 수준으로 추정된다. 관수장치의 성능 개선은 수출 확대뿐만 아니라 수입대체 효과에서도 매우 시급한 실정이다. 관수장치의 기술 개발은 경험적 방법과 이론해석에 따른 설계의 개선으로 상당 부분 가능하다. 그러나 경질 미로를 구성한 경우에는 비교적 실험과 이론적 해석이 잘 나타나지만 연질의 실리콘이 동시에 결합된 경우에는 실험적인 방법이외의 해석은 매우 어렵다. 본 연구에서는 국내 PC 드리퍼 성능을 선진국 수준으로 개선하고자 수행하였다. 주요 내용은 실리콘의 경도의 문제점과 개선, 경질 미로의 성형물 재설계, 이를 통한 새로운 PC 드리퍼를 설계 제작하였고, 동시에 성능 평가를 실시하였다. 또한 국내외에서 가장 우수한 것으로 알려진 Euro PC 드리퍼와 성능 비교를 수행하였으며, 동시에 핵심 부품의 교차 조립에 의한 유량의 균등성을 평가함으 로서 국내 PC 드리퍼의 근원적 기술의 문제점을 파악하고 개선할 수 있었다.

This present study deals with the microstructure and tensile properties of 600 MPa-grade high strength and seismic resistant reinforcing steels. The high strength reinforcing steel (SD 600) was fabricated by Tempcore processing, while the seismic resistant reinforcing steel (SD 600S) was air-cooled after hot-rolling treatment. The microstructure analysis results showed that the SD 600 steel specimen consisted of a tempered martensite and ferrite-pearlite structure after Tempcore processing, while the SD 600S steel specimen had a fully ferrite-pearlite structure. The room-temperature tensile test results indicate that, because of the enhanced solid solution and precipitation strengthening caused by relatively higher contents of C, Mn, Si and V in the SD 600S steel specimen, this specimen, with fully ferrite-pearlite structure, had yield and tensile strengths higher than those of the SD 600 specimen. On the other hand, the hardness of the SD 600 and SD 600S steel specimens changed in different ways according to location, dependent on the microstructure, ferrite grain size, and volume fraction.