MICROWAVE SINTERING OF ELECTROLESS Ni PLATED B4C POWDERS

Year 2009, Volume: 9 Issue: 3, 223 - 228, 01.12.2009

Ayhan Erol Ahmet Yonetken

Abstract

Nickel matrixes reinforced with B4C have been fabricated by microwave sintering at various temperatures. A uniform nickel layer on B4C powders was deposited prior to sintering using electroless plating technique, allowing close surface contact than can be achieved using conventional methods such as mechanical alloying. The reactivity between B4C powders to form compounds is controlled through Ni layer existing on the starting powders. A composite consisting of quaternary additions, a ceramic phase, B4C, within a matrix of Ni B4C and etc., has been prepared at the temperature range 500°C-900°C under Ar shroud. XRD, SEM(Scanning Electron Microscope), compressive testing and hardness measurements were employed to characterize the proerties of the specimens. Experimental results carried out for 600°C suggest that the best properties as σmax and hardness (HV) were obtained at 600°C and the microwave sintering of electroless Ni plated B4C powders can be used to produce ceramic reinforced Nickel composites.  

Keywords

Microwave Sintering, Powder Metallurgy, Ceramic-Metal Composites

MICROWAVE SINTERING OF ELECTROLESS Ni PLATED B4C POWDERS

Abstract

Nickel matrixes reinforced with B4C have been fabricated by microwave sintering at various
temperatures. A uniform nickel layer on B4C powders was deposited prior to sintering using
electroless plating technique, allowing close surface contact than can be achieved using conventional
methods such as mechanical alloying. The reactivity between B4C powders to form compounds is
controlled through Ni layer existing on the starting powders. A composite consisting of quaternary
additions, a ceramic phase, B4C, within a matrix of Ni B4C and etc., has been prepared at the
temperature range 500°C-900°C under Ar shroud. XRD, SEM(Scanning Electron Microscope),
compressive testing and hardness measurements were employed to characterize the proerties of the
specimens. Experimental results carried out for 600°C suggest that the best properties as σmax and
hardness (HV) were obtained at 600°C and the microwave sintering of electroless Ni plated B4C
powders can be used to produce ceramic reinforced Nickel composites.  

Keywords

Microwave Sintering, Powder Metallurgy, Ceramic-Metal Composites, Electroless Nickel Plating

References

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