Future Trends of Microwave Processing in Composite Industries

In recent times, there has been a growing search for novel manufacturing techniques that are energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and time-saving, particularly for high-performance fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. While FRP composites have found increased utilization in various industrial applications, their efficient processing continues to pose challenges. Microwave curing has emerged as an energy-efficient alternative to the traditional autoclave curing process, and it has been employed for processing thermoset-based composites since the 1980s. This chapter provides an overview of the state-of-the-art and future trends in microwave processing of FRP composites. It explores the developments in this field and highlights the challenges encountered during the microwave processing of composites.