Damping characteristics of pure aluminum: A comparison of microwave and conventional sintering

Abstract

The current research focuses on how heating mode in powder metallurgy affects the damping properties of pure aluminum. The aluminum powder was compacted in a hydraulic press measuring 40 x 12 x 1.5mm3 and heated in a muffle furnace (conventional) and a microwave sintering furnace. The damping measurements were conducted on the samples using a dynamic mechanical analyzer under dual cantilever mode at various vibrating frequencies of 0.1, 1 and 10Hz from room temperature (RT) to 150°C at constant strain. Results demonstrated that the microwave sintered samples exhibit high storage modulus and high damping capacities compared to conventional sintered samples. The mechanisms that support this behavior are investigated and presented.