Research on the technology and the mechanical properties of the microwave processing of polymer

In this paper, the fundamental principles of the microwave processing of polymer are discussed. Using the advantages of microwave heating, epoxy resins as the raw material, and maleic anhydride as the curing agent, this paper researches the technology of the microwave curing of epoxy resins, curing epoxy resin with different proportions of curing agent by microwave and thermal curing methods. The mechanical properties of cured samples, are measured and the reasons analyzed as to why microwave curing can improve the mechanical properties of polymer. The results also show microwave curing can decrease curing time and temperature and curing agent consume. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.