Microscopic stress-strain curves were obtained by applying stress measurements using the HR-EBSD method and strain measurements using the DIC method to the same field of view in SEM in-situ tensile tests. From the analysis of these microscopic stress-strain curves, yield stress map and work hardening rate map were successfully produced. The relationship between these mechanical property value maps and the microstructure is investigated. The yield stress maps confirm the tendency of the local yield stress to show different values for different grains, but the Schmid factor alone cannot explain the magnitude of the yield stress. When adjacent grains with significantly different Schmid factors deformed cooperatively, the yield stress is found to increase as a result of stress partitioning. Localized regions of extreme work hardening rates were observed in the work hardening rate maps. These regions were located close to grain boundaries with low m′ values where slip transfer was difficult and an interruption of the slip bands was observed. In addition, the rate of increase of GND density with strain was large in these regions. From these results, it can be understood that the extreme work hardening rates are due to increased back stresses caused by the accumulation of dislocations on low m′ grain boundaries.

The microstructure and chemical composition of iron phosphate conversion coatings were investigated by surface/cross-sectional observation using FE-SEM/STEM and chemical state analysis using XPS. As a result, it was suggested that the conversion reaction progressed while the surface oxide on the base material remained, and the fine particles of coatings components were deposited and agglomerated to cover the material surface. The upper layer of coatings was mainly composed of iron phosphate, while the interface between the coatings and base material was deposited iron oxide. The proportion of iron phosphate and iron oxide was almost equal at the initial stage, and the amount of iron phosphate increased as the coating thickness.

In recently years, hydrogen production by water electrolysis using renewable energy is promoted from a carbon-neutral perspective. However, hydrogen is difficult to store and transport, and low volumetric energy density. Therefore, ammonia obtained by the Haber-Bosch process is attracting much attention as an energy carrier because of its easy liquefaction and handling. Ammonia is toxic, but it can be detected easily if ammonia leaks outside owing to its characteristic smell. Thus, a direct ammonia fuel cells (DAFCs) that use ammonia as fuel is promising candidate as a new power generation system. Generally, Pt is used as anode catalyst for ammonia oxidation reaction in DAFC. But it is desired to develop an alternative catalyst for DAFC anode due to the price escalation of Pt, limitation of Pt reserves and the problems of inactivation caused by N_ads poisoning on Pt. Therefore, Pt-Mo alloy catalyst was prepared by RF-magnetron sputtering and the ammonia oxidation activity was investigated in this study. Pt-Mo alloy catalysts showed higher ammonia oxidation activity than Pt one. Especially, Pt-44.0at％Mo indicated 31.4 mA cm⁻² and it is the highest activity among Pt-Mo alloys. And then, Pt-44.0at％Mo is promising candidate for anode catalyst of DAFC.

Cu fine-particle paste is a promising material to form a low-cost interconnect for flexible electronics devices. It has been reported that Cu particles can be sintered at low temperature (well below the half of the melting point) through two-step heat treatment processes of oxidation and reduction. However, the mechanism of the low temperature sintering is not clear yet. In this study, we investigated the oxidation sintering process of Cu fine particles by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) in the temperature range of 200-300℃, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and microstructural observation. It was found from TGA that the oxidation process was initially rate-controlled by surface reaction and then by Cu diffusion at grain boundaries of Cu₂O. Transmission electron microscopy observation revealed the formation of a core (Cu)-shell (Cu₂O) structure during the oxidation process. The adjacent Cu₂O shells were bonded to each other resulting in a cross-linked structure. The subsequent reduction process led to the formation of a porous structure by oxygen removal, but the cross-linked structure was maintained, which would make the low-temperature sintered Cu body as robust as solidified solder and sintered Ag paste.

Friction stir welding (FSW) was performed under the two welding conditions (rotation speed-traveling speed) of 150 rpm-100 mm/min and 200 rpm-400 mm/min using 6 mass％Ni-0.63 mass％C steels. The slightly lower peak welding temperature and significantly higher cooling rate was obtained under the condition of 200 rpm-400 mm/min. Texture analysis for retained austenite and martensite revealed that the parent austenite had simple shear texture, which lead to the formation of {110}<111> texture in transformed martensite. Moreover, material flow behavior as a function of distance from the top surface in the stir zone was analyzed based on textures obtained by EBSD measurement. A concentric material flow, which has smaller radius as the far from the tool shoulder, was formed under the condition of 150 rpm-100 mm/min. On the other hand, a heterogeneous material flow with the center shifted to the retreating side was formed under the condition of 200 rpm-400 mm/min. In addition, a different vertical component of material flow was predicted to occur under each welding conditions.