Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.21278/TOF.451021220

A Review of Microwave-Assisted Sintering Technique

Lidija Ćurković orcid.org/0000-0002-3212-277X ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Department of Materials, Zagreb, Croatia
Rea Veseli ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Department of Materials, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Gabelica ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Department of Materials, Zagreb, Croatia
Irena Žmak orcid.org/0000-0001-7994-3615 ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Department of Materials, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Ropuš ; Energoatest zaštita d.o.o., Zagreb, Croatia
Milan Vukšić ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Department of Materials, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The present study examines the potential of microwave heating as an emerging and innovative energy-efficient alternative to conventional heating techniques used for different materials, with a focus on the processing of ceramic materials. Modern ceramics are studied extensively, and their use and different applications are wide due to many advantages of these materials. The most important factor in microwave sintering which differentiates it from conventional heating techniques is a unique heat transfer mechanism. Microwave energy is absorbed by the material, hence the transfer of energy takes place at the molecular level. This way, the heat is generated throughout the material, i.e. on the inside as well on the outside. This allows a very low temperature gradient throughout the material cross section. When conventional sintering is used, typically at high heating rates, high temperature gradients pose a problem. The accelerated microwave heating occurs through the whole volume, so the heating is uniform, which limits the grain growth and coarsening, and leads to a uniform and fine microstructure. The densification is accelerated as well during the unique heat transfer mechanism of microwave sintering, which enhances the mechanical properties of the sintered materials.
This paper discusses the use of microwave sintering in the manufacturing of different modern technical materials, namely ceramics, composites, metals and alloys, and glasses. The improvement of different properties is described using the available literature.

Keywords

microwave sintering; conventional sintering; ceramics; materials

Hrčak ID:

256786

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/256786

Publication date:

19.5.2021.

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