A comparative property investigation of lithium phosphate glass melted in microwave and conventional heating

Abstract

The present study addresses the application of microwave (MW) energy for melting lithium phosphate glass. A comparative analysis of the properties is presented with glasses melted in conventional resistance heating adopting standard methods of characterization. The density of the glass was found less in MW heating. The glass transition temperature was recorded as 3–10\({^{\circ }}\hbox {C}\) lower in MW prepared glass than in conventional glass. Micro-hardness is found to be improved in case of MW heating. Maximum forward power was recorded less than 2 kW with an average power \(\sim \)1 kW during melting of 40 g glass in MW furnace. MW forward and reflected power measured during melting in the MW cavity was elaborated. Total melting time was within 2 h 30 min in MW heating, whereas it was 6–7 h in resistive heating. Total power consumed was \(\sim \)5 kWh in MW heating and \(\sim \)14 kWh in resistance heating.