Microwave Joining of Stainless Steel and Their Characterizations

Abstract

The application of microwave radiation in heating of materials is not a new application; only newer applications are emerging in the field of processing of materials through microwave radiations, which allowed it as a novel processing techniques. The earlier authors work was reported on sintering processing of many ceramic materials, which are the better absorbers of microwaves radiations. The domain of microwaves applications were further extended to metallic powders. In recent years, researchers have developed methods for processing of bulk metallic materials through microwave radiations such as claddings on various steels and joining of bulk metals. The present work is based on the joining of similar and dissimilar metallic materials through microwave radiations. The obtained joints were characterized by XRD, EDS and SEM. Mechanical characterizations of joints were carri ed in th e t er ms o f tensi l e t es tin g and Vi ck er’s mi cro hardn ess . Obs erved results revealed that the joining of stainless steel was successfully attempted by using nickel based powder (EWAC). The metallurgical characterizations of processed joints through microwave radiations showed cellular structures with lower defects. The mechanical characterizations of joints showed that due to better metallurgical bonding and diffusion, enhancement in the mechanical strength with lower processed defects. Obtained ultimate tensile strength (425 MPa) is highest in joining of S.S 420 with S.S 420. Hardness was obtained due to the presence of carbon which was absorbed from graphite sheet, and led to the formation of carbides in the microstructures of microwave proceeds joints.