SUSCEPTOR-ASSISTED RAPID MICROWAVE SINTERING OF Al-KAOLIN COMPOSITE IN A SINGLE-MODE CAVITY

The present research addresses the low-temperature sintering of 4% kaolin clay reinforced aluminium composite using susceptor-aided microwave sintering at 2.45 GHz frequency. Kaoline clay the naturally available mineral in the north-eastern regions of india. The study aims to convert this kaoline clay into the value added product with enhanced mechanical properties. The Al-x% Kaolin (x = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) composite was fabricated through the powder metallurgy process by the application of 600 MPa compaction pressure. The composite corresponding to optimum ultimate tensile strength (U.T.S) was subjected to single-mode cavity microwave-assisted sintering by varying the sintering temperatures as 500 degrees C, 550 degrees C and 600 degrees C. The effect of incorporating kaolin clay on the dielectric characteristics of composite powders, as well as the effect of sintering temperature on the microstructural changes and mechanical characteristics of Al-4%Kaolin composites were also examined. Results concluded that the addition of 4 wt% kaolin powder improves the dielectric characteristics of the composite powder. The maximum Hardness. Compression strength and U.T.S of 97 Hv, 202 MPa and 152 MPa respectively achieved for the Al-4% Kaolin composite sintered at 550 degrees C. The higher fracture toughness of 9.56 Ma. m1/2 reveals the ductile fracture for the composite sintered at 550 degrees C.