Metal additive manufacturing (AM) facilitates the production of complex geometries with enhanced functionality. Among various AM techniques, laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is distinguished by its precision and exceptional mechanical properties achieved via laser fusion deposition. Recent advancements in AM have focused on combining LPBF with post-processing methods such as cold rolling, high-pressure torsion, and forming processes. Therefore, understanding the forming behavior of LPBF-processed materials is essential for industrial adoption. This study investigates the stretch-flangeability of LPBF-fabricated 316L stainless steel, emphasizing its anisotropic microstructure and mechanical properties. Hole expansion tests were employed to assess stretch-flangeability in comparison to wrought 316L stainless steel. The results demonstrate that LPBF-processed samples exhibit significant anisotropic behavior, demonstrating the influence of microstructural evolution on formability. These findings contribute valuable insights into optimizing LPBF materials for industrial forming applications.
This study investigated the ultra-low-temperature (4.2 K) tensile properties and deformation mechanisms of stainless steel 304L manufactured via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The tensile properties of LPBF 304L were compared to those of conventional 304L to assess its suitability for cryogenic applications. The results revealed that LPBF 304L exhibited a significantly higher yield strength but lower ultimate tensile strength and elongation than conventional 304L at 4.2 K. The temperature dependence of the yield strength also favored LPBF 304L. Microstructural analysis demonstrated that LPBF 304L features a high density of dislocation cells and nano-inclusions, contributing to its greater strength. Furthermore, strain-induced martensitic transformation was observed as a key deformation mechanism at cryogenic temperatures, where austenite transformed into both hexagonal-closed packed (HCP) and body-centered cubic (BCC) martensite. Notably, BCC martensite nucleation occurred within a single HCP band. These findings provide critical insights into the mechanical behavior of LPBF 304L at cryogenic temperatures and its potential for applications in extreme environments.
A hybrid energy harvester that consisted of thermoelectric (TE) composite film and electrospun piezoelectric (PE) polymeric membranes was constructed. TE composites were fabricated by dispersing inorganic TE powders inside polyvinylidene fluoride elastomer using a drop-casting technique. The polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene, which was chosen due to its excellent chemical resistance, mechanical stability, and biocompatibility, was electrospun onto an aluminum foil to fabricate the ultra-flexible PE membranes. To create a hybrid energy harvester that can simultaneously convert heat and mechanical energy resources into electricity, the TE composite films attached to the PE membrane were encapsulated with protective polydimethylsiloxane. The fabricated energy harvester converted the outputs with a maximum voltage of 4 V (PE performance) and current signals of 0.2 μA (TE performance) under periodical heat input and mechanical bending in hybrid modes. This study demonstrates the potential of the hybrid energy harvester for powering flexible and wearable electronics, offering a sustainable and reliable power source.
Seung-Hwan Lee, So Hyun Baek, Hyun-Woo Lee, Yongbum Kwon, Kanghyuk Lee, Kee-Ryung Park, Yoseb Song, Bum Sung Kim, Ji Young Park, Yong-Ho Choa, Da-Woon Jeong
J Powder Mater. 2025;32(2):113-121. Published online April 30, 2025
Energy harvesting has become a crucial technology for sustainable energy solutions; in particular, the utilization of ambient water movement in hydrovoltaic generators has emerged as a promising approach. However, optimizing performance requires an understanding of structural factors affecting energy harvesting, particularly capillary effects. This study aimed to improve hydrovoltaic generator performance by adjusting internal fiber density, which influences water transport and ion mobility. Using cold isostatic pressing, cellulose acetate (CA) loading in a urethane mold was varied to optimize internal density. As CA loading increased, the fiber arrangement became denser, narrowing capillary pathways and reducing proton mobility. While open-circuit voltage (VOC) remained stable, short-circuit current (ISC) decreased with higher CA mass. The sample with a loading of 0.3 g exhibited the highest energy harvesting efficiency, achieving ISC = 107.2 μA, VOC = 0.15 V, and power (P) = 16.7 μW. This study provides insights into methods of improving hydrovoltaic generator efficiency through internal structural modifications.
We synthesized magnesium hydroxide using bittern and dolomite, which are domestic resources. In Bittern, there is a high concentration of Mg2+ ions, but the impurity Ca2+ ion content is also significant, requiring a purification process to remove it. There are two main methods for this purification. Firstly, there is a separation method that utilizes the difference in solubility between Mg2+ ions and Ca2+ ions by using sulfuric acid on dolomite. Adding MgSO4 solution from dolomite to Bittern removes Ca2+ ions as CaSO4. This process simultaneously purifies Ca impurities and increases the Mg/Ca ratio by adding extra Mg2+ ions. In this study, purified bittern was obtained by using dolomite and sulfuric acid to extract MgSO4, which was then used to purify Ca2+ ions. High-purity Mg(OH)2 was synthesized by optimizing the NaOH and NH4OH ratio as an alkaline precipitant.
In this study, the effect of build orientation on the mechanical properties of Hastelloy X fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process was investigated. Initial microstructural analysis revealed an equiaxed grain structure with random crystallographic orientation and annealing twins. Intragranular precipitates identified as Cr-rich M23C6 and Mo-rich M6C carbides were observed, along with a dense dislocation network and localized dislocation accumulation around the carbides. Mechanical testing showed negligible variation in yield strength with respect to build orientation; however, both ultimate tensile strength and elongation exhibited a clear increasing trend with higher build angles. Notably, the specimen built at 90° exhibited approximately 22% higher tensile strength and more than twice the elongation compared to the 0° specimen.
Carbonized blocks with different porosities were prepared by varying the particle size of the filler and subsequent impregnation. The impregnated carbonized blocks were re-carbonized. The use of smaller particles in the filler in the carbonized block was associated with larger porosity, smaller pore size, and a higher impregnation ratio. The block with the smallest average particle size (53 μm), CB-53, had a porosity of 35.9% and pores of approximately 40 μm, while the block with the largest average particle size (413 μm), CB-413, had a porosity of 30.5% and pores of approximately 150 μm. CB-53 had the highest bulk density, electrical resistivity, flexural strength, and impregnation ratio. This is due to the large porosity, which is believed to be due to the presence of more interfaces between particles during the re-carbonization of the impregnated carbonized block, resulting in a better pore-filling effect.
In recent years, high-entropy alloys (HEAs) have attracted considerable attention in materials engineering due to their unique phase stability and mechanical properties compared to conventional alloys. Since the inception of HEAs, CoCrFeMnNi alloys have been widely investigated due to their outstanding strength and fracture toughness at cryogenic temperatures. However, their lower yield strength at room temperature limits their structural applications. The mechanical properties of HEAs are greatly influenced by their processing methods and microstructural features. Unlike traditional melting techniques, powder metallurgy (PM) provides a unique opportunity to produce HEAs with nanocrystalline structures and uniform compositions. The current review explores recent advances in optimizing the microstructural characteristics in CoCrFeMnNi HEAs by using PM techniques to improve mechanical performance. The most promising strategies include grain refinement, dispersion strengthening, and the development of heterogeneous microstructures (e.g., harmonic, bimodal, and multi-metal lamellar structures). Thermomechanical treatments along with additive manufacturing techniques are also summarized. Additionally, the review addresses current challenges and suggests future research directions for designing advanced HEAs through PM techniques.
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Thermodynamic and Electronic Descriptor-Driven Machine Learning for Phase Prediction in High-Entropy Alloys: Experimental Validation Nguyen Lam Khoa, Nguyen Duy Khanh, Hoang Thi Ngoc Quyen, Nguyen Thi Hoang, Oanh, Le Hong Thang, Nguyen Hoa Khiem, Nguyen Hoang Viet Journal of Powder Materials.2025; 32(3): 191. CrossRef