Two Years of the Japan-Related Materials, Parts, and Equipment War... Boom in Developing Affordable and High-Quality Materials

Korea Institute of Materials Science to Reveal Core Technology Research Results on the 17th

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Since the 2019 export restrictions imposed by Japan on semiconductor-related materials to Korea, the development of technology in the 'SoBuJang' (materials, parts, and equipment) industry has been in full swing. On the 17th, the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) unveiled core technological achievements related to electric vehicle batteries, power generation, and surface treatment.

Thermal simulation of a new ceramic material for electric vehicle battery thermal management.

First, KIMS developed a new ceramic heat dissipation material for thermal management of electric vehicle batteries. To meet the demand for developing low-cost oxide materials with high thermal conductivity, KIMS focused on researching magnesium oxide (MgO, thermal conductivity: 40-60 W/mK), which has superior thermal conductivity and a price similar to the commercial alumina (Al2O3, thermal conductivity: 20-30 W/mK) material. Although conventional magnesium oxide has higher thermal conductivity than alumina, its high sintering temperature results in high manufacturing costs, and its hygroscopic nature, reacting with moisture in the air, limits its use.

KIMS developed a new MgO material that sinters at a lower temperature than alumina and resolves the hygroscopic issue by using an extremely small amount of additives. The developed KIMS MgO material is expected to replace commercial alumina materials as it has a similar price but approximately twice the thermal conductivity.

Large titanium alloy blade for power generation.

They also localized the manufacturing technology for large-scale (1m-class) titanium (Ti) alloy blades. To increase the capacity and efficiency of power generation turbines, it is necessary to raise the steam and combustion temperature and pressure. This requires the enlargement of turbine blades as a priority. Currently, the length of the last stage blade (LSB) for steam turbines demanded by companies is about 40 inches or more. Domestic and international turbine manufacturers are promoting the replacement of existing Fe-Cr alloys with high-strength titanium (Ti) alloys to reduce the weight and improve the efficiency of large blades. Although the use of high-strength titanium (Ti) alloys is rapidly increasing for blade enlargement, domestic power companies lack the technology and related infrastructure, resulting in complete reliance on imports for titanium (Ti) blades for power generation turbines.

KIMS succeeded in manufacturing large-scale (1m-class) titanium (Ti) alloy blades domestically through collaboration with local companies. These blades have 13% higher tensile strength and superior impact properties compared to commercial alloys. The newly developed titanium (Ti) alloy reduces the alloy content by 2.75 wt% compared to commercial titanium (Ti) blades and replaces expensive vanadium (V) used in existing commercial alloys with low-cost alloying elements (Fe, Al, Si), enhancing price competitiveness.

KIMS transferred the large-scale (1m-class) titanium (Ti) blade manufacturing technology to companies and completed the manufacturing value chain for domestic production of power generation titanium (Ti) blades, from ingot → billet → forging → post-heat treatment → processing. By localizing titanium (Ti) blades, which were entirely imported, they strengthened the competitiveness of domestic companies in the power turbine industry. Going forward, significant ripple effects are expected across the manufacturing industry of large titanium (Ti) parts for shipbuilding and industrial cryogenic tanks, aerospace components, and more.

Linear Ion Beam Surface Treatment Equipment

In the equipment sector, linear ion beam surface treatment equipment and technology have been localized. Conventional surface treatment methods mainly use organic solvents, requiring purification facilities and raising environmental pollution concerns in case of leakage. In contrast, linear ion beam equipment uses harmless gases such as argon and oxygen and enables wide-area surface treatment. The linear ion beam equipment ionizes gases like argon and oxygen using high voltage and then emits them. This technology originated from ion engines used in aerospace thrusters in the 1960s and has since evolved into various forms. KIMS adapted this technology for wide-surface treatment of metal steel sheets, developing a 1,500 mm wide linear ion beam device, which was selected as an excellent national R&D achievement in 2012. Further development aligned with trends demanding more delicate surface treatment enabled the creation of linear ion beam equipment technology capable of non-damaging surface treatment of filter fibers with thicknesses of several tens of micrometers.

This technology has been transferred to the private sector and is currently applied in various industries. The technology to improve adhesion between heterogeneous materials such as ceramics, metals, and polymers is mainly used in heat sinks, FCCL (Flexible Copper Clad Laminate), and is widely utilized in various industrial fields including antimicrobial and antiviral filter materials for quarantine, high-hardness thin films for automotive parts, and low-reflection films for displays.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.