Journal of Microwave Power and Electromagnetic Energy (JMPEE)
TITLE	TLM Simulation of Microwave Sintering of Ceramic Using SiC Stimulus [PDF]
AUTHORS	A. Amri and A. Saidane 2001 36 2 89-100
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Abstract Microwave heating techno logy is becoming a successful technique used for sintering ceramic materials. However, various aspects of sintering experiments, such as the use of process stimulus and the preparation of sample arrangements, depend mainly on human expertise. The Transmission Line Matrix (TLM) method is first used to solve the combined electromagnetic and thermal equations modelling microwave heating of dielectric materials. It is then used to simulate microwave sintering of low-loss ceramic material in a multimode microwave cavity. To enhance the microwave sintering process, Silicon Carbid (SiC) was first used as a susceptor and in a picket fence arrangement. As multiple samples may be processed in a microwave even, the TLM was used to model such a process, and the introduction of SiC as a stimulus was also examined. Results show the importance of the stimulus thickness and configurations on the uniformity and density of the electromagnetic field distribution and therefore, on the power distribution within the ceramic load. Key Words: Microwave sintering, ceramics, SiC stimulus, TLM modelling, heat transfer