Influence of tungsten carbide-cobalt reinforcement on flexural behavior of iron-based composite developed through microwave

The flexural behavior of iron-based composite castings has been analyzed under three-point loading conditions. The metal matrix composite casting of five varying compositions of powders by weight, that is, SS316, SS316+15EWAC, SS316+15EWAC+5WC-12Co, SS316+15EWAC+10WC-12Co, and SS316+15EWAC+15WC-12Co has been cast in a domestic microwave oven of maximum power and frequency of 0.9 kW and 2.45 x 10(3) MHz respectively. The casting of size 30 x 6 mm(2) is prepared. The prepared sample's mechanical properties, such as ultimate peak load, flexural strength, strain at peak load, strain at break and flexural modulus, are tested on Dak System UTM having load cell 10 kN as per ASTM 1161-18 standard. The flexural strength and peak load for SS316+15EWAC+10WC-12Co, strain at peak load for SS316+15EWAC+5WC-12Co, and flexural modulus and microhardness for SS316+15EWAC+15WC-12Co were found maximum value. The maximum microhardness value is obtained in the carbide phase. The microstructure of the cast samples shows equiaxed grain growth with identical melting of the matrix. The XRD pattern of the samples confirmed the presence of various intermetallic and carbide phases.