Evolution and Adoption of Microwave Claddings in Modern Engineering Applications
Dinesh Kumar, Rahul Yadav, Jashanpreet Singh
Abstract
This chapter presents an overview of the evolution and utilization of microwave claddings in engineering applications. Nowadays, various coating and cladding techniques are employed to materials used in various tribological applications. The cladding can be performed either by utilizing the high-intensity laser beam or the microwave oven heating method. By comparison, microwave cladding is cheaper as compared to laser cladding, and microwave cladding requires no specialized robotic controller like laser cladding. Moreover, the major benefit of employing microwaves is its reduced time and lower power consumption, which facilitates boosting the number of items produced. Microwave cladding develops in the form of harder clads which facilitates a wear-resistant surface to the metals and alloys. Therefore, this technique is very popular in the automobile, chemical, mining, and food-processing industries as well as in power plants. This chapter outlines the different micron- and nano-powder-based claddings with their performance analysis. The wear characteristics of different claddings have been also rigorously overviewed.