Wear behavior of microwave processed aluminum-based MMC subjected to secondary processing

Abstract MMC have gained prominence for their cost-effectiveness, light weight materials, lower density, impressive strength-to-weight ratio, and ease of production. Among various fabrication techniques, powder metallurgy stands out as a widely used method for MMC development, encompassing blending, compaction, and sintering stages. Microwave sintering (MWS) offers distinct advantages over traditional methods. MWS claims homogeneous material heating, excellent efficiency, and quick volumetric heating and effective balancing of radiant and microwave heating effects. This study encompasses the fabrication of aluminum–silicon carbide metal matrix composites (Al-SiC MMCs) utilizing microwave sintering, employing a frequency of 2.45 GHz and a power output of 900 W. Various weight percentages (10%, 15%, and 20%) of reinforcement materials are incorporated into the composite. Subsequently, the microwave-processed material undergoes extrusion, involving an extrusion ratio of 12.25, resulting in a reduction in cross-sectional area. The investigation focuses on the tribological properties of both the microwave-processed and extruded materials. The findings of this study reveal notable enhancements in the tribological characteristics of the composite materials, underscoring the efficacy of microwave technology in the processing of metal matrix composites.