Investigating the efficiency of the microwave heating process for the carbothermic synthesis of cobalt/nickel alloys

Abstract

High energy consumption and its associated pollution fare among the significant issues of metal production systems. Traditional furnaces currently used in the production of alloys. The microwave heating process is a novel approach with numerous advantages compared to the conventional heating processes. On the other hand, cobalt/nickel alloy, is an important alloy with extensive applications in jet engines, gas turbines, and petroleum refining. The present research addressed the efficiency of the microwave heating process for the carbothermic synthesis of cobalt/nickel alloys. Moreover, the morphology of the produced material was evaluated. The synthesis method was based on the reduction of cobalt/nickel oxides to cobalt/ nickel alloys. Two parameters of the reaction time and the composition of the granules containing cobalt/nickel oxides were investigated to assess the efficiency of the reduction process. The results showed a decrease in the oxygen content from 20 to about 10 wt% by prolonging the processing time from 10 to 20 min. XRD analysis also indicated no crystal structure related to nickel oxide in the samples processed for 20 min. The diameter of the crystals also increased by about 71 % by prolonging the reaction time from 10 to 20 min, suggesting the growth of the crystals and enhanced adhesion of the particles. The number of oxygen atoms was also decreased by about 50 % upon increasing the reaction time from 10 to 20 min, indicating a better reduction reaction. A rise in the nickel oxide content in the raw granule from 30 % to 60 %, led to a 3.8-fold enhancement in the number of oxygen atoms in the reduced product.