Microwave sintering of copper–graphite composites

Microwave processing is a distinctive and alternative technique when compared with the available processes such as material synthesis, sintering, and processing utilizing the conventional heating sources. Owing to microwave–material molecular interaction, microwave heating is of internal and faster. This results in improved quality of the product with time and energy savings. Metal at its bulk form reflects microwaves; however in its powder form, it couples with microwaves. This work emphasizes on the development of copper–graphite metal matrix composite for electrical sliding contact applications through microwave hybrid heating (2.45 GHz, 3.2 kW). The fabricated composites were tested for their mechanical properties such as porosity, relative density and hardness. Microstructural aspects were studied through SEM.