Microwave firing ceramics new technology

Japanese research institutes have developed a new technology for microwave firing of ceramics, which can shorten the firing time and thus reduce energy consumption. It is expected that the technology will be put on the market in July 2003.
According to information provided by the Gansu Ceramic Research Institute, which is involved in the development of this technology, the new technology is characterized by allowing the blank to absorb microwaves at a frequency of 2.45 MHz and then firing ceramics from its own heat. Special furnaces using this method have been successfully developed. The furnace wall has a double-layer structure consisting of a microwave-absorbing ceramic and a heat-insulating material.
Compared with the existing firing method that first increases the temperature from the surface, the internal heating method can increase the temperature uniformity of the ceramic during the firing process, thereby reducing the phenomenon of distortion and color unevenness and reducing the emission of carbon dioxide.
According to reports, the quality of microwave-fired ceramic products is no less inferior to electricity, gas or heavy oil fired products, this technology can be used to fire insulated porcelain and ceramic used in semiconductors, automotive and other fields of industrial ceramics.