Comparison between the effects of microwave and conventional sintering on the microstructure and mechanical properties of metal-base Al-WC composites

In this research, aluminum-tungsten carbide metal-base composites were fabricated by microwave and conventional sintering methods and compared. Three-point bending strength specimens were prepared with uniaxial press at 250 MPa and then were sintered in graphite bed at 650 °C and 750 °C in microwave and conventional furnaces for 1 minute and 1hour, respectively. Density and mechanical properties (bending and compressive strength and microhardness) of samples were calculated. The highest bending strength of conventional andmicrowave sintered samples were 143 and 231 MPa at 750 °C, respectively. XRD patterns showed the decomposition of WC particles and formation of Al5W interfacial reaction product phases in microwave heating method processes. SEM studies showed that WC reinforcement particles had uniform distribution in Al matrix.