Microwave behavior of silicon carbide/high alumina cement composites

Microwave susceptors have been fabricated from composites of silicon carbide/high alumina cement. These composites are very useful for microwave processing other materials. By using these composites for microwave hybrid heating, both ordinary and unique materials have the potential to be fabricated. The use of the susceptors can help to produce a more even temperature distribution across a material being microwave heated. This composite of silicon carbide particles embedded in high alumina cement only needed to be better characterized to enhance its applicability to more systems. This goal was accomplished in this study.; During the course of the study, the factors affecting the heating rate of the composites were identified. These factors included silicon carbide particle size, weight percent silicon carbide in the composite, silicon carbide phase, processing atmosphere, and the maximum temperature experienced by the composite. A systematic study was designed to examine the importance of factors such as these and their effects upon the heating rate of high alumina cement/silicon carbide composites. Statistical design was employed to determine the significance of the factors of interest.; The effects of these factors on the heating rate of the composites were determined. As the amount of silicon carbide in the composite increased, the heating rate tended to increase. The effects observed were explained by a combination of dielectric mixing equations, a heat transfer model and percolation theory. The silicon carbide particle size also affected the heating rate of the composites. Mathematical modeling showed that the particle size effect was a geometric effect that was dependent upon imperfect thermal contact between the silicon carbide particle and the cement matrix. The silicon carbide particle size also affected the percolation threshold of the composites. The heating rate of the composites increased when calcium carbonate present in the cement was pyrolyzed to form calcium oxide due to an increase in the thermal conductivity. A nitrogen atmosphere also tended to result in higher composite heating rates than an air atmosphere, most likely due to the suppression of oxidation of silicon carbide. In addition, beta-phase silicon carbide composites tended to heat more rapidly than alpha-phase silicon carbide composites.