Microwave and conventional sintering of premixed and prealloyed Cu-12Sn bronze

The aim of the present investigation is to study the sintering behavior of the Cu-12Sn bronze system in both, a microwave furnace as well as a conventional furnace. The powders prepared by premixed and prealloyed routes were sintered in the range of solid state, transient and supersolidus liquid phase sintering conditions. The comparative analysis is based on the sintered density, densiflication parameter, hardness, macrostructures and microstructures of the samples.