Microwave synthesis and consolidation of advanced ceramics and ceramic composites

Abstract

Advanced ceramics constitute an important class of materials. There exists today a wide spectrum of electrical, optical, magnetic and structural applications for advanced ceramics. Structural ceramics are employed in mechanical and chemical engineering, high-temperature, biomedical and space technologies. Properties of these materials under service conditions are determined by their microstructure. There has always been a constant thrust towards development of novel methods for material synthesis and consolidation in order to produce controlled microstructures and thence desired properties. Microwave route for synthesis and consolidation of materials enable realization of newer microstructures. This is consequence of the very nature of interaction of microwaves with materials. Microwave route offers invaluable advantages, it is fast, clean and energy efficient. This thesis, which is based on selected studies of the application of microwaves in synthesis and consolidation of technologically important advanced ceramics and ceramic composites provides strong support to the merit of microwave route in materials synthesis and consolidation. Advanced ceramics investigated here consists of oxides, carbides, nitrides, silicides, and oxy-nitrides and the work has been presented in six chapters