A review of microwave curing of polymer materials

Polymer and polymer-based composites are widely used in the electronic packaging industry. There is a need to shorten the processing time for cost-effective reasons. Microwave radiation is recognized as an alternative to the conventional thermal treatment. This paper presents the fundamental concept of MW used as heating source for curing polymers. Upon literature survey, comparison between thermal and MW approaches was given. Various variables affecting MW applications were analyzed. Metal effect under microwave radiation was also discussed corresponding to the metal-filled electrically conductive adhesives. At last, a conclusion was made that microwave as the source of energy can offer higher processing rate than thermal treatment while no adverse effect is exerted on the properties of the processed materials; an even higher heating rate will require considerations of the influence of various variables; metal-filled electrically conductive adhesives could be heated with variable frequency microwave with no arcing being incurred.