Microwave sintering W–Cu composites: Analyses of densification and microstructural homogenization

This paper describes the densification response and microstructural homogenization of W–Cu composites sintered by using microwave irradiation. Compared with conventional sintering, microwave sintering shows a superior capability in promoting W–Cu densification at higher heating rate. Near theoretical density can be achieved under optimum conditions. Additionally, microwave sintering generates non-aggregated and homogeneous microstructure, while coarsened tungsten grains are presented in the microwave-sintered samples. The present work implies that microwave sintering is a promising and time-saving approach to W–Cu materials manufacture.