Microwave Processing of Materials Fundamentals and Applications

Abstract

The use of microwave energy in material processing is increasing gradually due to numerous benefits over conventional energy sources. Volumetric heating characteristic of microwave energy while processing engineering materials has been explored in various manufacturing processes such as sintering, casting, joining, drilling and cladding. However, the fundamentals associated with microwave heating of materials are less explored. The present chapter summarizes most of the significant fundamentals of microwave-material interaction and heating phenomena that occur during microwave energy absorption in materials. Various microwave energy-based applications are discussed.