Hard-porous-lightweight PM Fe-Cr-Al2O3 MMCs sintered under hybrid microwave energy

Abstract

This study reports on the effect of Al2O3 particles on the density of Fe-Cr metal matrix composite (MMCs) produced through PM route then sintered under hybrid microwave energy. The sample was prepared by mixing the Al2O3 particle in 3D-tubular shaker at six different weight percentage of Fe-Cr matrix started from 5 wt.% to 30 wt.% with 5% in increment. The sintering process was performed under controlled N2 atmosphere in a tubular microwave furnace. Determination of bulk density and porosity was done according to Standard Test Method ASTM B962 – 17, while ASTM E384 was used to determine the microhardness. Assessment of the sample was based on density, porosity, hardness and microstructure evaluation. The result show that incorporating the Al2O3 particle were significantly increase the microhardness, decrease the bulk density and increase the porosity of the in Fe-Cr composite.