LAUSR

In the present work, the processing of microwave castings of Cu–Mo-based materials was carried out using microwave heating at 2.45 GHz and 900 W. Three sets of castings were developed inside microwave applicator cavity with three different compositions such as Cu + 10% Mo, Cu + 30% Mo and Cu + 50% Mo by volume percentage. A mechanism describing microwave metal interaction has been established. Microstructure analysis study of developed castings revealed the formation of small equiaxed grains with uniform dispersion of Mo particles in Cu-based metal matrix. The presence of Cu64O, Cu6Mo5O18 and MoO2 elements phases was observed during phase analysis of microwave processed composite castings. Vicker’s microhardness study analysis revealed that the Cu + 50% Mo-based casting exhibited maximum Vicker’s microhardness of order 120.8 ± 9 HV, which was approximately 2.7 times that of microwave processed Cu-based castings. The higher percentage of Mo particles inside Cu-based matrix resulted in an increase in electrical resistivity of the casting.