Influence of the Shape of Composites Materials on the Stability of Microwave Heating Processes

Abstract

This paper aims to present preliminary researches on the influence of the shape and dimensions of composites materials on the stability of microwave heating. The research was focused on cordierite composite material, which is used as ceramic substrate in selective catalytic reaction for reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions from combustion engines. For experimental program were used different shapes for cordierite material, such as cubic, cylindrical, sphere and rectangular. Based on previous researches where it was demonstrated that an injected microwave power between 600 W and 1200 W, the samples were heated in order to establish which shape is more suitable for fast heating, thermal stability in terms of thermal runaway as well as for avoiding the unwanted microwave plasma initiation.