Microwave Processing of Thermal Runaway Materials

9622326 Thomas这个项目是一个合作项目，将涉及来自一所大学、一个联邦实验室和两家制造公司的机械和电气工程师和材料科学家。本研究将发展探索微波腔体设计、微波加热模式以及与热失控材料连续处理相关的电磁和热测量与控制技术。热失控材料是指当暴露在微波场中时，介质损耗因子随着温度的升高而迅速增加的材料。在加工过程中无法控制温度阻碍了微波加工在许多重要商业材料中的广泛应用。微波加热提供了以更低成本生产更好产品的可能性，提高了美国纤维和化学工业的国际竞争力。这项研究的结果可能适用于广泛的材料，特别是由聚合物和陶瓷制成的材料。

9622326 Thomas This project is a collaborative effort that will involve mechanical and electrical engineers and materials scientists from a university, a federal laboratory, and two manufacturing companies. The research will develop techniques to explore microwave cavity design, microwave heating patterns, and electromagnetic and thermal measurements and control pertaining to continuous processing of thermal runaway materials. Thermal runaway materials are those in which dielectric loss factors increase more rapidly as their temperature rises when exposed to a microwave field. The inability to control temperatures during processing prevents widespread use of microwave processing for many commercially important materials. Microwave heating offers the possibility for better products at lower cost, increasing the international competitiveness of U. S. fiber and chemical industries. Results of this research may be applicable to a wide range of materials, especially those made from polymers and ceramics.