A research institute specializing in Materials Science

Extreme Materials Institute

Department of Special Alloys

ead of Department 'Lim, Ga-ram'
Head of Department
Lim, Ga-ram

Department Introduction

Department of Special Alloys is focusing our efforts on the development of special alloy systems and their manufacturing processes for the breakthrough of property limitations and the creation and utilization of new functional features. With the goal of promoting cutting-edge technologies and their commercial utilization, we cover the Cu alloys, new generation high-entropy and complex-concentrated alloys, amorphous alloys, and their derivatives.

+82-55-280-3363

Major Activities

  • Development of multi-functional high entropy alloys and their manufacturing technologies for extreme environment such as the resistance to hydrogen-embrittlement and liquid hydrogen storage etc : 5 papers published, 1 patent applied.
  • Low-cost high-strength high entropy alloys for intermediate temperatures : 1 patent registered, 2 patents applied.
  • Development of sheet metal casting and precision molding technologies for metallic glasses(1 domestic and 1 US patent registered). Blow forming technology of metallic glasses(1 domestic and 1 US patent registered).
  • Simultaneous increasing strength and its trade-off properties in nonferrous metal alloys : 6 papers published, 2 patents registered, 6 patents applied.
  • Development of antiviral/antibacterial metallic materials : 2 papers published

Major Research Area

  • Development of multi-functional high entropy alloys and their application technology for extreme environment such as hydrogen environment, LH2-class cryogenic temperature, etc.
  • Development of liquid- and solid-state processes including micro-/nano-imprinting for amorphous alloys
  • Development of precipitation-hardened bcc high entropy alloys that can replace Ni-based superalloys for intermediate temperatures
  • Alloy design of high-performance Cu and Al alloys
  • Interface energy control based on DFT (Density Functional Theory) calculation
  • Copper alloy design for functional applications such as antibacterial/antiviral, and development of surface modification technology of Cu-containing amorphous alloy

Future Research Plan

  • Development of high entropy alloys for cryogenic applications such as liquid hydrogen and gaseous hydrogen environment
  • Development of low-cost/light-weight high-entropy alloys for intermediate high temperatures based on artificial intelligence
  • Development of metallic glass surface modification technology for functional applications
  • Artificial intelligence-based alloy design for low-cost, high-performance, and heat-resistant high entropy alloys
  • Implementation of nano-scale microstructure by controlling the interface energy between matrix and 2nd phase
  • Antiviral/antibacterial metallic alloy development

Major R&D Activities

Technology for simultaneous increasing trade-off properties by interface control of second phase in nonferrous alloy

[Introduction]

  • Development of Cu and Al alloys with simultaneous increase of strength and its trade-off properties by modifying their nano-scale microstructure with alloy design based on DFT calculation.

[Achievement]

  • Development of copper alloy with improved strength and ductility simultaneously by controlling inclusions and discontinuous precipitates (tensile strength 1009 MPa / elongation 5 %)
  • Development of phosphor bronze alloy with improved hot workability by controlling segregation of solute elements