R&D | Localization of MPE into our own hands!
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Date21-08-23 16:47 Hit678Link
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KIMS Held an online briefing on the results of research on MPE self-reliance |
The Korea Institute of Materials Science held an online briefing to reporters accredited to the Ministry of Science and ICT as
well as local reporters in Kyeongnam area on research outcomes regarding technical independence of materials, parts, and
equipment (hereinafter "MPE").
Since Japan's export control in July 2019, KIMS has continued to play a pivotal role in gathering research capabilities at
home and abroad and industry-academic-research cooperation in order to localize MPE and become a materials powerhouse.
〔Materials〕 New heat-dissipating ceramic for thermal management of electric vehicle battery
There is increasing demand for thermal management materials essential for high performance and durability of intelligence
and electronics components. Focusing on reflecting the needs of the industry for the low-cost oxide materials with high
thermal conductivity, KIMS has been conducting studies on magnesium oxide (MgO, thermal conductivity: 40-60W/mK)
material which matches the price with alumina (Al2O3, thermal conductivity: 20-30W/mK) but has better thermal
conductivity.
Even though existing magnesium oxide has higher thermal conductivity than alumina, it has a very high sintering
temperature, resulting in high manufacturing costs. And its hygroscopicity that reacts with moisture is a limiting factor.
However, by using a very small amount of additives, KIMS succeeded in developing a new material named "KIMS MgO”that is
sintered at a lower temperature than alumina and also solves the problem of hygroscopicity. As KIMS MgO has a similar price
to commercial alumina, but has about twice the thermal conductivity, it is expected to be able to replace commercial alumina
materials.
KIMS plans to expand its application to various fields, including heat-dissipating ceramic filler materials for electric vehicle
battery packages. In addition, KIMS is currently in the process of establishing a research institute spin-off company for the
commercialization of KIMS MgO.
Lee Jung-hwan, the president of KIMS, said, “The research outcome is expected to play a key role in resolving the safety problem of
electric vehicles. Its performance is far superior to that of Japanese magnesium oxide with a lower price. It will be able to stay one step
ahead in the competition for heat dissipation materials with Japan.”
〔Parts〕 Localization of large (1m) titanium (Ti) alloy blade manufacturing technology
To manufacture high-capacity and high-efficiency power generation turbines, it is necessary to increase steam, combustion
temperature, and pressure. This requires increasing the size of the power turbine blades. The industry's desired length of the
steam turbine's last stage blade (LSB) is more than 40 inches. Power turbine companies at home and abroad are replacing the
existing Fe-Cr alloy with high-strength titanium (Ti) alloy to reduce the weight and improve efficiency. To increase the size of
blades, the use of high specific strength titanium (Ti) alloy is rapidly increasing but the industry relies on imports of titanium
(Ti) blades for power generation turbines as the technology and related infrastructure of Korean power generation companies
are insufficient.
KIMS, collaborated with a domestic company, succeeded in manufacturing and producing large (1m) titanium (Ti) alloy blades
with 13% higher tensile strength and excellent impact properties compared to commercial alloys. Compared to commercial
titanium (Ti) blades, the new titanium alloy has excellent price competitiveness since the alloy amount was reduced by
2.75wt% and added inexpensive alloying elements (Fe, Al, Si) instead of the expensive material, vanadium (V), which is used
for existing commercial alloys.
KIMS transferred the manufacturing technology of large (1m) titanium (Ti) alloy blades to the collaborating company and
completed the manufacturing value-chain of localizing titanium blades for power generation, which ranged from an ingot,
billet, die forging, post heat treatment, and processing. The technology has strengthened the competitiveness of domestic
companies in the power generation turbine industry by localizing titanium (Ti) blades, which are currently imported the entire
quantity.
Park Chan-hee, the head of the Department of Titanium at KIMS, said, “The technology to scale up high-strength titanium (Ti)
alloys parts can have a big ripple effect across the large-sized titanium (Ti) parts manufacturing industry, such as cryogenic
tanks for ships and industries, and aerospace parts.”
〔Equipment〕 Development of linear ion beam surface treatment equipment and material surface treatment
technology
As sustainable development including eco-friendliness and carbon neutrality becomes important, the industrial structure is also changing
with that. There is no exception for the surface treatment industry, one of the six root industries. The traditional surface treatment method
mainly uses an organic solvent, which requires the installation of a purification facility, and there have also been concerns about
environmental contamination from spills. However, the new linear ion beam equipment uses non-hazardous gases such as argon and
oxygen and is available for wide surface treatment.
Linear ion beam equipment is a technology that uses high voltage electricity to ionize and release gases such as argon and
oxygen. Started with the ion engine of an aerospace thruster in the 1960s, the technology was applied to surface treatment
and has been developed in various forms since then. KIMS developed a linear ion beam equipment with a width of 1,500 mm
for surface treatment of wide steel sheets and was selected for excellence in a national R&D project in 2012. KIMS has been
further developed in line with industrial demand that requires more delicate surface treatment and was able to develop linear
ion beam equipment capable of undamaged surface treatment using filter fibers with a thickness of several tens of
micrometers.
Through technology transfer, the original technology for linear ion beam source equipment and various application
technologies are currently being applied to various industries. The technology, which improves adhesion between dissimilar
materials like ceramics, metals, and polymers, is mainly used for heatsinks and FCCL (Flexible Copper Clad Laminate) as well
as widely utilized in various industrial fields such as antibacterial and antiviral filter material for quarantine, high-hardness thin
film for automobile parts and low-reflection film for display.
Jung-hwan Lee, the president of KIMS said, “The linear ion beam source equipment can have a big ripple effect to various
industries such as ultra-high-frequency antennas, lightweight transportation equipment, and bioimplant bonding. With the
technology, the surface treatment industry would contribute to the eco-friendliness and advancement in the future.”