Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2011
Compact samples of alumina and polymethyl methacrylate have been heated in a 2.45 GHz microwave cavity and by conventional heating in an electric furnace. Various heating schedules have been used to effect the removal of the polymeric binder by thermal decomposition. Dielectric properties, porosity and other physical properties have been investigated in order to better understand the binder removal process in a microwave field. Results of the study emphasize the amount of carbon residuals remaining in the bulk.