Application of microwave in manufacturing technology: A review

Abstract

In todays world due to wide experimentation of materials and wider application in various field and with introduction of reduced production or manufacturing costs, and processing lead times, newly developed processing technology is what is required with these advantages. The newly developed processing techniques should be such that it should be widely acceptable for all types of materials including metals, non-ferrous metals, non-metals etc. Such processing methods are many but microwave processing is one of the fastest and latest emerging manufacturing technology that has found new application in material joining, casting, heat treatment, cladding, sintering, machining and drilling. In comparison to other conventional processes, microwave processing of materials not only enhances the mechanical properties but also redues the defects and has certain economical advantage in power and time savings. In comparison to conventional processes, microwave processing due to hybrid and selective heating, the parts produced has more uniform, axial, cellular and homogeneous type of structure is obtained. It has found application in not only in food processing industry but wide application has been found in manufacturing industry. Though other processes are available in the industries like electric furnace and ohmic resistance heating but the microwave due to its properties like penetration radiation, controllable electric field distribution, rapid heating, selective heat, self limit reactions with advantage of lower environmental impact has been extensively used for industrial and material processing applications. This work describes the review focusses on technological advancement of microwave processing of materials and their application in manufacturing applications in industries.