Characteristics of microwave sintering of titanium powder compacts

Abstract

Titanium is a paramagnetic metal which couples weakly with microwaves. This work reports our experimental observations of microwave (MW) sintering of CP-Ti, Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al in a 3 kW, 2. 45 GHz multi-mode high-vacuum (103 Pa) MW system, with the assistance of MW susceptors. Controllable heating rates up to 50°C/min were readily achievable by MW radiation. This significantly reduces the overall sintering cycle compared with conventional vacuum sintering. MW sintering is capable of consolidating titanium powder compacts to similar densities by conventional vacuum sintering. The intrinsic weak response of titanium to MW radiation can be mitigated by using MW susceptors. MW sinterin..