Development of microwave processed Ni + 20% SiC based composite clads on AISI-304 steel

Abstract

In the present investigation microwave hybrid heating technique was used to develop the Ni + 20% SiC based composite clads on AISI-304 substrate. The pilot experiments were carried out inside a domestic microwave oven working at 900W and 2.45GHz. The composite clads were successfully formed within 360 s of microwave exposure time. The so developed microwave processed clads were characterized through relevant techniques like XRD, SEM, EDS and Vicker's microhardness measurement. The XRD study reveals the presence of various carbides and silicides in the composite clad region. Microstructure study results reveal the presence of hard carbide particles in the soft Ni matrix phases. The average value of microhardness in the clad region was observed as 763 - 24HV, which was approximately 3 times that of the substrate microhardness.