To develop a heat-generating asphalt pavement utilizing a phase-change material (PCM), this study evaluated the application method of a PCM as an asphalt material and the thermal and physical properties of asphalt mixtures. The selection of PCM materials according to the phase-change temperature range suitable for thermal asphalt pavements and the encapsulation method for application to asphalt materials were examined, and encapsulated PCMs (ePCMs) using various materials were produced. The thermal and physical properties were evaluated through chamber experiments and strength tests by applying the ePCMs to asphalt mixtures. The characterization results of the ePCMs showed that ePCM-C had the highest latent heat, thermal stability, and physical stability in the asphalt binder and mixture. The chamber test results showed that ePCM-C, which had high latent heat, had the longest temperature delay time under all conditions. The mixing ratio was calculated by volume to substitute low-density ePCM into the mixture; as the ePCM content increased, the asphalt content also increased. The results of the Marshall stability and indirect tensile strength tests indicated that as the ePCM content increased, the strength and crack resistance properties decreased. Asphalt mixtures containing ePCMs have demonstrated the ability to maintain temperature for a long time within a specific temperature range. If an ePCM is improved such that it is not damaged under the production conditions of asphalt mixtures, it is expected to be sufficiently utilized as a technology for preventing road freezing.

Electrical and thermal transport properties of a polycrystalline carrier-doped wide-gap semiconductor LaCu1-δ S0.5Se0.5O (δ = 0.01), in which the CuCh (Ch = S, Se) layer works as conducting layer, were measured at temperatures 473~673 K. The presence of δ = 0.01 copper defects dramatically reduces the electrical resistivity (ρ) to approximately one part per million compared to that of δ = 0 at room temperature. The polycrystalline δ = 0.01 sample exhibited ρ of 1.3 × 10-3 Ωm, thermal conductivity of 6.0 Wm-1 K-1, and Seebeck coefficient (S) of 87 μVK-1 at 673 K. The maximum value of the dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) of the δ = 0.01 sample was calculated to be 6.4 × 10-4 at T = 673 K. The ZT value is far smaller than a ZT ~ 0.01 measured for a nominal LaCuSeO sample. The smaller ZT is mainly due to the small S measured for LaCu1-δS0.5Se0.5O (δ = 0.01). According to the Debye model, above 300 K phonon thermal conductivity in a pure lattice is inversely proportional to T, while thermal conductivity of the δ = 0.01 sample increases with increasing T.

The development of thermoelectric (TE) materials to replace Bi2Te3 alloys is emerging as a hot issue with the potential for wider practical applications. In particular, layered Zintl-phase materials, which can appropriately control carrier and phonon transport behaviors, are being considered as promising candidates. However, limited data have been reported on the thermoelectric properties of metal-Sb materials that can be transformed into layered materials through the insertion of cations. In this study, we synthesized FeSb and MnSb, which are used as base materials for advanced thermoelectric materials. They were confirmed as single-phase materials by analyzing X-ray diffraction patterns. Based on electrical conductivity, the Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity of both materials characterized as a function of temperature, the zT values of MnSb and FeSb were calculated to be 0.00119 and 0.00026, respectively. These properties provide a fundamental data for developing layered Zintl-phase materials with alkali/alkaline earth metal insertions.

High-strength low-alloy steel is one of the widely used materials in onshore and offshore plant engineering. We investigated the alloying effect of solute atoms in α-Fe based alloy using ab initio calculations. Empirical equations were used to establish the effect of alloying on the Vicker’s hardness, screw energy coefficient, and edge dislocation energy coefficient of the steel. Screw and edge energy coefficients were improved by the addition of V and Cr solute atoms. In addition, the addition of trace quantities of V, Cr, and Mn enhanced abrasion resistance. Solute atoms and contents with excellent mechanical properties were selected and their thermal conductivity and thermal expansion behavior were investigated. The addition of Cr atom is expected to form alloys with low thermal conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient. This study provides a better understanding of the state-of-the-art research in low-alloy steel and can be used to guide researchers to explore and develop α-Fe based alloys with improved properties, that can be fabricated in smart and cost-effective manners.

This study focused on improving the phase stability and mechanical properties of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), commonly utilized in gas turbine engine thermal barrier coatings, by incorporating Gd2O3, Er2O3, and TiO2. The addition of 3-valent rare earth elements to YSZ can reduce thermal conductivity and enhance phase stability while adding the 4-valent element TiO2 can improve phase stability and mechanical properties. Sintered specimens were prepared with hot-press equipment. Phase analysis was conducted with X-ray diffraction (XRD), and mechanical properties were assessed with Vickers hardness equipment. The research results revealed that, except for Z10YGE10T, most compositions predominantly exhibited the t-phase. Increasing the content of 3-valent rare earth oxides resulted in a decrease in the monoclinic phase and an increase in the tetragonal phase. In addition, the t(400) angle decreased while the t(004) angle increased. The addition of 10 mol% of 3-valent rare-earth oxides discarded the t-phase and led to the complete development of the c-phase. Adding 10 mol% TiO2 increased hardness than YSZ.

This article reported a simple method for preparing diamond/SiC composites by polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) process, and the advantages of this method were discussed. Only diamond and SiC were contained in the diamond/SiC composite prepared by PIP process, and the diamond particles remained thermally stable up until the pyrolysis temperature was increased to 1600 °C. The pyrolysis temperature has a significant impact on the thermal conductivity and dielectric properties of composites. The thermal conductivity of the composite reaches a maximum value of 63.9 W/mK when the pyrolysis temperature is 1600 °C, and the minimum values of the real and imaginary part of the complex permittivity are 19.5 and 0.77, respectively. The PIP process is a quick and easy method to prepare diamond/SiC composites without needing expensive equipment, and it is of importance for promoting its application in the field of electric packaging substrate.

This research investigated the effect of Si addition on the microstructure, mechanical properties, electric and thermal conductivity of as-extruded Al 6013 alloys. As the content of Si increased, the area fraction of the second phase increased. As the Si content increased, the average grain size decreased remarkably, from 182 (no Si addition) to 142 (1.5Si), 78 (3.0Si) and 77 μm (4.5Si) due to dynamic recrystallization by the dispersed second particles in the aluminum matrix during the hot extrusion. As the Si content increased, the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength increased. The maximum values of yield strength and ultimate tensile strength were 224 MPa and 103 MPa for the 6013-4.5Si alloy. As the amount of Si added increased, the electrical and thermal conductivity decreased. The electrical and thermal conductivity of the Al6013-4.5Si alloy were 44.0% IACS and 165.0 W/mK, respectively. The addition of Si to Al 6013 alloy had a significant effect on its thermal conductivity and mechanical properties.

There is ongoing research to develop lithium ion batteries as sustainable energy sources. Because of safety problems, solid state batteries, where electrolytes are replaced with solids, are attracting attention. Sulfide electrolytes, with a high ion conductivity of 103 S/cm or more, have the highest potential performance, but the price of the main materials is high. This study investigated lithium hydride materials, which offer economic advantages and low density. To analyze the change in ion conductivity in polymer electrolyte composites, PVDF, a representative polymer substance was used at a certain mass ratio. XRD, SEM, and BET were performed for metallurgical analyses of the materials, and ion conductivity was calculated through the EIS method. In addition, thermal conductivity was measured to analyze thermal stability, which is a major parameter of lithium ion batteries. As a result, the ion conductivity of LiH was found to be 106 S/cm, and the ion conductivity further decreased as the PVDF ratio increased when the composite was formed.

A Cu-15Ag-5P filler metal (BCuP-5) is fabricated on a Ag substrate using a high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) thermal spray process, followed by post-heat treatment (300oC for 1 h and 400oC for 1 h) of the HVOF coating layers to control its microstructure and mechanical properties. Additionally, the microstructure and mechanical properties are evaluated according to the post-heat treatment conditions. The porosity of the heat-treated coating layers are significantly reduced to less than half those of the as-sprayed coating layer, and the pore shape changes to a spherical shape. The constituent phases of the coating layers are Cu, Ag, and Cu-Ag-Cu3P eutectic, which is identical to the initial powder feedstock. A more uniform microstructure is obtained as the heat-treatment temperature increases. The hardness of the coating layer is 154.6 Hv (as-sprayed), 161.2 Hv (300oC for 1 h), and 167.0 Hv (400oC for 1 h), which increases with increasing heat-treatment temperature, and is 2.35 times higher than that of the conventional cast alloy. As a result of the pull-out test, loss or separation of the coating layer rarely occurs in the heat-treated coating layer.

In this study, a new manufacturing process for a multilayer-clad electrical contact material is suggested. A thin and dense BCuP-5 (Cu-15Ag-5P filler metal) coating layer is fabricated on a Ag plate using a high-velocity oxygen-fuel (HVOF) process. Subsequently, the microstructure and bonding properties of the HVOF BCuP-5 coating layer are evaluated. The thickness of the HVOF BCuP-5 coating layer is determined as 34.8 μm, and the surface fluctuation is measured as approximately 3.2 μm. The microstructure of the coating layer is composed of Cu, Ag, and Cu-Ag-Cu3P ternary eutectic phases, similar to the initial BCuP-5 powder feedstock. The average hardness of the coating layer is 154.6 HV, which is confirmed to be higher than that of the conventional BCuP-5 alloy. The pull-off strength of the Ag/BCup-5 layer is determined as 21.6 MPa. Thus, the possibility of manufacturing a multilayer-clad electrical contact material using the HVOF process is also discussed.

Diamond reinforced silicon carbide matrix composites (diamond/SiC) with high thermal conductivity were prepared by tape casting combined with Si vapor infiltration for thermal management application. The effects of the mixing mode of bimodal diamond particles on the microstructure, thermal and mechanical properties of the composites were analyzed. The results reveal that the thermal conductivity of composites is affected significantly by mixing mode of diamond. In general, when the content of large diamond remains constant, adding a slight amount of small diamond was found to be effective in improving the thermal conductivity of the composite. However, excess small diamonds added will decrease thermal conductivity due to its high interfacial thermal resistance. The maximum thermal conductivity of obtained diamond/SiC is 469 W/(m K) when 38 vol% large diamond and 4 vol% small diamond were added. Such a result can be attributed to the formation of efficient heat transfer channels within the composite and sound interfacial bonding between diamond and SiC phase. Diamond/SiC with high thermal conductivity are expected to be the next generation of electronic packaging substrate.

Two kinds of mesocarbon microbeads (MCMBs) with different chemical composition have been synthesized. The MCMBs were molded and heat treated at temperatures above 2000 °C to obtain graphite blocks. The effects of chemical composition of MCMBs on the pore morphology, carbon texture and thermal properties of the derived graphite blocks have been explored. The pore morphology was investigated by small angle X-ray scattering technique and a graphitization-induced morphology transition was observed. When the graphitic crystallite size exceeded a threshold value, the association of crystallites and migration of randomly distributed pores took place extensively. For the graphite blocks made of MCMBs which had light components with higher aromaticity value, the growth of crystallites caused a significant enhancement in thermal conductivity for the specimens. However, for the other kind of MCMBs, their light components tended to form solid porous carbon texture after graphitization, and the thermal conductivity coefficients of their graphite blocks could only increase slightly as crystallites grew. It was suggested that the thermal resistance at the granule’s boundary became noticeable in the latter case and thus the growth of thermal conductivity coefficients was prominently hindered.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were added into the self-healing polyurethane materials as conductive filler, the mass fraction of carbon nanotubes was adjusted, and 1% polyaniline was doped. The conductive self-healing polyurethane composites with different carbon nanotubes content (PU)-1/3/5/8/10 were prepared, and analyzed and tested. The result shows that the permeability threshold value of the composite material is 8wt%, and the comprehensive performance of the composite material PU-8 is the best; the resistance of PU-8 is 1278Ω, PU-8P has a resistance of 1400Ω; using an infrared camera, it can be seen that the material can reach 143.3 °C under the DC current of 0.1A, reaching the temperature condition when the material is repaired; the swelling test shows that the PU-8P equilibrium swelling rate is 177%, the gel content is 52.67%, and there is no dissolution in dimethyl sulfoxide. Solvent stability is better than PU-8;DSC test shows that the glass transition temperature of the soft segment of PU-8P is 43 °C, and the glass transition temperature of the hard segment is − 55 °C, which is not much different from that of PU-8; TG test shows that the epitaxial starting temperature of PU-8P is 365 °C; the observation photo is magnified by a stereo microscope at ten times and the PU-8P sample is cut of in the middle at room temperature, applying a constant voltage of 30 V, the cracks disappeared. The material cracks realized self-healing with electricity, and the repair efficiency reached 20.5%.

Molybdenum is used in electrical contacts, industrial motors, and transportation materials due to its remarkable ability to resist heat and corrosion. It is also used to flame coat other metals. This study investigated, the thermal characteristics of the molybdenum sputtered material, such as electrical conductivity, and stealth effects on infrared thermal imaging cameras. To this end, molybdenum sputtered samples were prepared by varying the density of the base sample and the type of base materials used. Thereafter, the produced samples were evaluated for their surface state, electrical conductivity, electromagnetic field characteristics, thermal characteristics, stealth effect on infrared thermal imaging cameras, and moisture characteristics. As a result of infrared thermal imaging, the molybdenum layer was directed towards the outside air, and when the sample was a film, it demonstrated a greater stealth effect than the fabric. When the molybdenum layer was directed to the outside air, all of the molybdenum sputtering-treated samples exhibited a lower surface temperature than the “untreated sample.” In addition, as a result of confirming electrical properties following the molybdenum sputtering treatment, it was determined that the film exhibited better electrical conductivity than the fabric. All samples that were subjected to molybdenum sputtering exhibited significantly reduced electromagnetic and IR transmission. As a result, the stealth effect on infrared thermal imaging cameras is considered to be a better way of interpreting heat transfer than infrared transmission. These results are expected to have future applications in high-performance smartwear, military uniforms, and medical wear.

Cu matrix composites reinforced with chopped carbon fiber (CF), which is cost effective and can be well dispersed, are fabricated using electroless plating and hot pressing, and the effects of content and alignment of CF on the thermal properties of CF/Cu composites are studied. Thermal conductivity of CF/Cu composite increases with CF content in the in-plane direction, but it decreases above 10% CF; this is due to reduction of thermal diffusivity related with phonon scattering by agglomeration of CF. The coefficient of thermal expansion decreases in the in-plane direction and increases in the through-plane direction as the CF content increases. This is because the coefficient of thermal expansion of the long axis of CF is smaller than that of the Cu matrix, and the coefficient of thermal expansion of its short axis is larger than that of the Cu matrix. The thermal conductivity is greatly influenced by the agglomeration of CF in the CF/Cu composite, whereas the coefficient of thermal expansion is more influenced by the alignment of CF than the aggregation of CF.