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R&D | Localization of MPE into our own hands!

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Date21-08-23 16:47 Hit640

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Localization of MPE into our own hands!

                 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.”