Archives of Metallurgy and Materials

Abstract

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°C, 550°C and 600°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°C. the higher fracture toughness of 9.56 ma. m 1/2 reveals the ductile fracture for the composite sintered at 550°C.