Chapter 13 - Microwave processing of polymer composites

Abstract

This chapter discusses the microwave processing of polymer composites. The discussion of different materials invention and their categorization has been covered in introduction section. Further, the introduction of microwave has been included to understand the feasibility of microwave energy for processing of different materials, that is, metals, ceramics, and polymers. Detailed setup of the microwave-assisted composite fabrication technique (MACFT) has been explained for proper understanding of the readers. The chapter comprises of two major techniques to fabricate the polymer composite, that is, microwave-assisted curing (MAC) and microwave-assisted compression molding (MACM). For thermosets resin-based polymer composites, MAC has been used, whereas to fabricate thermoplastic-based composites, MACM has been used. Additionally, fabrication of fiber and particulate reinforced composites are discussed. Fiber-reinforced composites are further divided into natural fiber reinforced polymer composites and synthetic fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Whereas particulate reinforced composites are carbon nanotube (CNT), coir, and hydroxyapatite (HA) based composites. The properties of microwave processed composites are also discussed briefly.