Microwave hybrid heating based optimized joining of SS304/SS316
Mainak Pal, Virinder Kumar, Shankar Sehgal, Harmesh Kumar, Kuldeep K. Saxena, Ashok Kumar Bagha
Abstract
In this study, the microwave hybrid heating process has been exploited to produce optimized joints of SS304/SS316. Three input parameters: materials of the specimens to be joined (X), grain-size of filler powder (Y), and processing time (Z) have been investigated to see their effects on two major joint properties: micro-hardness (P) and micro-tensile strength (Q). Welded joints of specimens have gone through mechanical characterization via Vicker’s micro-hardness tests and also the micro-tensile strength examinations. Outcomes have been used further for finding optimal settings of input parameters to achieve the best mechanical properties of joints. Grain-size of filler material is the most significant parameter; followed by specimen material. On the other hand, process time has little influence on output parameters within the small incremental time range of only 60 s considered during this work. SS304-SS304 (X1) specimen materials with 70 nm (Y1) filler powder at 360 s (Z1) processing time input settings help in achieving optimal micro-hardness (Poptimal) and micro-tensile strength (Qoptimal). Microstructure test results of the developed joints reveal the formation of dense metallic microstructures across the joining region which justifies the reason for higher micro-hardness and micro-tensile strength of the joint region.