Development of the manufacturing technique of crucibles to melt aluminum and improve its physical and mechanical properties by microwave oven

Abstract

There are several techniques that are used to melt metal materials, among which we have conventional casting, by agitation, by compression and by molding. It is currently being studied in a technique based on electromagnetic radiation with the implementation of conventional microwave oven, thus improving the results in terms of time in the casting process; to carry out this electromagnetic casting process, a high-frequency wave-receiving medium is required to reach the melting temperature of the material on which it is being worked. In the case of aluminum, a working temperature of approximately 700 °C is required to achieve phase change of the material. This project produces a fine-grained silicon carbide-based crucible, taking into account that it is a semiconductor and refractory material capable of capturing electromagnetic waves, for the purpose of allowing the use of a microwave oven in the aluminum smelting process; presenting in this way a new casting technique that promises a significant saving in the execution time and saving the implementation process in recycling and reuse of aluminum and improving its physical and mechanical properties by means of irradiation casting electromagnetic.