Effect of the amount and particle size of sic susceptor on the properties of microwave sintered magnesium

Abstract

In this study, the effect of different amount and particle size of SiC susceptor on the heating rate and properties of sintered magnesium prepared by microwave sintering has been investigated. Magnesium powder was compacted to produce green sample and then sintered at temperature 553 °C in the microwave oven by using different amount of SiC susceptor i.e. 25 g, 50 g and 100 g and different particle size of 6 μm and 125 μm, respectively. In this study, the hardness test, density test and microstructure observation had been tested. The magnesium sample which has been sintered with 100 g and 6 μm SiC susceptor produced highest heating rate, and highest hardness and density value. From microstructural observation, the grain boundary can be clearly seen with low porosity in all samples. It can be concluded that, sintered sample with 100 g and 6 μm was the optimum amount and particle size of SiC susceptor which could improve heating rate during the sintering process and mechanical and physical properties of sintered magnesium.