Microwave Heat Treatment on Aluminium 6061 Alloy-Boron Carbide Composites

This paper deals with the comparison studies on mechanical properties for cleaner energy like microwave heat treatment and conventional heat treatment of Al (6061) -B4C composite. Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites (MMC) are fabricated through two step stir casting method. Fabricated composites were subjected to microwave and conventional heat treatment for enhancing the mechanical properties. Energy efficient microwave heat treatment has produced comparable mechanical properties with conventional heat treatment. Machinability characteristics of microwave heat treated and non-heat treated composites were evaluated using a lathe tool dynamometer. Machined surfaces were analyzed by SEM and surface roughness meter.