Abstract: Metal matrix composites (MMCs) possess significantly improved properties including high specific strength, specific modulus, damping capacity and good wear resistance compared to unreinforced alloys. MMCs could be produced by variety of methods such as Stir cast, Liquid Infiltration, Osprey and Powder metallurgy.Among this Powder Metallurgy processing is one of the effective methods to manufacture MMCs with high volume of reinforcement with fairly uniform distribution. The present investigation deals with the production of SiC particle reinforced Aluminium powder and Aluminium-flyash composite through powder metallurgy route with conventional sintering as well as microwave sintering.An attempt was made to optimize process parameter such as sintering time, sintering temperature and compacting load. The Aluminium powders (44 micron) and SiC particle (37 micron) and Flyashpowder(20 micron) at a volume fraction of 5-20% of SiC and 20% of SiC-10%Flyash was processed. Compacting load was varied between 4000kg to 8000kg.Sintering was performed in Microwave furnace .2At a load of 8000kg in Al-(20%)SiC-(10%)Flyash a maximum densification of (96%) was achieved.Hardness test was conducted in Rockwell testing Machine. In Al-20%SiC-10%Flyash composition corresponding to the 8000 kg load, the Hardness 81HRB(Rockwell B-scale) was obtained.
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