Recycling of aluminum and titanium chips by microwave augmented SHS

Recycling of titanium and aluminium chips to manufacture wear and corrosion-resistant intermetallic-based coatings is achieved by microwave assisted Self Propagating High Temperature Synthesis (SHS). A multi-physics model implementing both reaction kinetic and microwave heating and heat transfer has been developed in order to optimize the synthesis condition. Numerical simulation allowed to investigate the preferable applicator geometry and to quantify the excess heat generated, which could be useful to promote further reactions with an iron-based substrate, thus realizing intermetallic-coated steel-based products