Use of nickel filler powder in joining SS304-SS316 through microwave hybrid heating technique

In this work, electromagnetic microwave energy radiations at 2.45 GHz frequency have been utilized to produce 5 mm thick joints of SS304-SS316. Filler powder mixture of fine nickel powder and epoxy blumer 1450XX was taken as interface slurry between the mating faces of the joints. Nano and micro particle sized nickel powder of 70 nm (powder 1), 20 µm (powder 2) and 50 µm (powder 3) were used during three sets of experiments. Activated charcoal powder was utilized as susceptor medium to initiate the microwave heating process. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that the joints were crack free and homogenous. Elemental spectroscopy was carried out to observe and compare the presence of different elemental composition in the joining region with different filler powders.