Challenges in joining of metallic pipes using microwave hybrid heating

Abstract

Microwave hybrid heating (MHH) is a distinct and emerging alternative joining technique used to join metallic materials compared to available conventional joining processes such as FW, TIG, MIG, etc. MHH shows significant characteristics such as selective and volumetric heating, lower processing time, eco-friendly processing against conventional joining. This paper aims to investigate the joining of 316L stainless steel pipes by incorporating micrometric size (45μm) of 316L stainless steel powder in between the faying surfaces of the candidate material. Charcoal as a susceptor material was placed at the joint zone and exposed to microwave energy at 2.45 GHz inside the domestic microwave applicator at 900 W power levels. The challenges and principles involved in joining SS 316 L pipes using MHH have been discussed and initial experimental observations have been analyzed.