Performance enhancement through microwave irradiation of K20 carbide tool machining Al/SiC metal matrix composite

Mechanical and physical properties of metal matrix composites (MMCs) indicate that these materials could play a significant role in applications for engineering components. MMCs are materials reinforced with dispersion such as SiC particles or fibers such as Al2O3. The full application of such MMCs is however cost sensitive due to machinability problems such as rapid tool wear of tungsten carbide (WC) tools incurring high machining costs. An attempt has been made to improve the performance of cemented tungsten carbide tools with post treatment by subjecting to microwave radiation. X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to evaluate the status of irradiated samples and worn out edges. Results showed that irradiated tool performs better in machining MMC suggesting that microwave radiation can be a potential post sintering technique for cemented carbide tools to improve machining ability. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.