Temperature Distribution in Physical Model of Unit Cell of Polymer Composite Material Reinforced with Carbon Fiber, Depending on Absorbed Power of Microwave Electromagnetic Field

Abstract

The influence of the absorbed power of the microwave electromagnetic field on the temperature distribution near the reinforcing conductive components has been studied using the example of a model cell of a polymer composite material (PCM) with a central carbon rod. It has been found that the heating of the model cell is largely determined by the level of absorbed microwave power than by the time of exposure to the electromagnetic field. This effect is more pronounced at high power levels. The temperature distribution along the radius of the model cell is uneven, expressed in a higher heating intensity in the central region adjacent to the rod. Towards the periphery, the temperature decreases according to a law close to exponential. At a power of 30–38 μW, the difference in temperature of the specified regions reaches 30–35°C, and the effect of time is reflected in an increase in temperature by no more than 4–6%. In the studied range of microwave radiation powers, the temperature in the carbon rod region increases by 82.8%, and at the periphery, the temperature increases by 23.2%. A mechanism for the microwave heating process of PCM with a conductive filler is proposed, and recommendations for determining rational modes of their microwave modification are established on its basis.