NUMERICAL MODELING OF THE COMBUSTION SYNTHESIS OF TiAl/Al2O3 COMPOSITE VIAMICROWAVE HEATING

Microwave processing is one of the novel methods for combustion synthesis of intermetallic compounds and composites. This method brings about a lot of opportunities for processing of uniquely characterized materials. In this study, the combustion synthesis of TiAl/Al2O3 composite via microwave heating has been investigated by the development of a heat transfer model including a microwave heating source term. The model was tested and verified by experiments available in the literature. Parametric studies were carried out by the model to evaluate the effects of such parameters as input power, sample aspect ratio, and porosity on the rate of process. The results showed that higher input powers and sample volumes, as well as the use of bigger susceptors made the reaction enhanced. It was also shown that a decrease in the porosity and aspect ratio of sample leads to the enhancement of the process.