Efforts to use microwaves in material processing are gradually increasing. However, the phenomena associated with the processing are less understood; popular mechanisms such as dipolar heating and conduction heating have been mostly explored. The current paper reviews most of the significant phenomena that cause heating during microwave–material interaction and heat transfer during microwave energy absorption in materials. Mechanisms involved during interaction of microwave with characteristically different materials – metals, non-metals and composites (metal matrix composites, ceramic matrix composites and polymer matrix composites) have been discussed using suitable illustrations. It was observed that while microwave heating of metal based materials is due to the magnetic field based loss effects, dipolar loss and conduction loss are the phenomena associated with the electric field effects in microwave heating of non-metals. Challenges in processing of advanced materials, particularly composites have been identified from the available literature; further research directions with possible benefits have been highlighted.

Microwave–material interaction phenomena: Heating mechanisms, challenges and opportunities in material processing

Ferromagnetic microwires enabled multifunctional composite materials

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Recent progress in additive manufacturing of fiber reinforced polymer composite

Microwave-assisted polymer synthesis (MAPS) as a tool in biomaterials science: How new and how powerful

Accelerated curing of high performance fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites via microwave heating or radiation, which can significantly reduce cure time and increase energy efficiency, has several major challenges (eg uneven depth of radiation penetration, reinforcing fibre shielding, uneven curing, introduction of hot spots etc) This article reviews the current scientific challenges with microwave curing of FRP composites considering the underlying physics of microwave radiation absorption in thermoset-matrix composites The fundamental principles behind efficient accelerated curing of composites using microwave radiation heating are reviewed and presented, especially focusing on the relation between penetration depth, microwave frequency, dielectric properties and cure degree Based on this review, major factors influencing microwave curing of thermoset-matrix composites are identified, and recommendations for efficient cure cycle design are provided

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Accelerated microwave curing of fibre-reinforced thermoset polymer composites for structural applications: A review of scientific challenges

Comparison of the mechanical and physical properties of a carbon fibre epoxy composite manufactured by resin transfer moulding using conventional and microwave heating

D Bakavos

Papers

Comparison of the mechanical and physical properties of a carbon fibre epoxy composite manufactured by resin transfer moulding using conventional and microwave heating