High Temperature Microwave Heating in Refractory Materials

Abstract

Microwave energy can be used to create high temperatures (> 1700° C for alumina) in refractory materials. Energy conversion takes place with a very good efficiency (90% in the conversion process of microwaves to thermal energy) if an appropriate applicator is utilized.Experiments at 2.45 GHz involving either the sintering of alumina or melting of silica for fiber fabrication are described which confirm the feasibility of this new process.