Temper & Treat
What is a Temper and Treat Application?
A temper or treatment application usually involves precision heating of a material to induce a desired change. Heat treatments can be used to change the structure of a material to change its properties of ductility, hardness, magnetism, conductivity, etc. These treatments are common on metals, glass and plastics. Heat treatments can also be used to accelerate curing and bonding times. These heat treatments often work by allowing a material to relax and recrystalize. This heating sometimes puts the material into tension or compression to increase strength.
Why are Microwaves used in Tempering and Treatment Applications?
Microwaves rapid heating, volumetric heating and selective heating all make it an attractive option for material heating applications. Microwaves can be used in many different applications to treat and alter materials including but not limited to:
- Annealing
- Curing
- Magnetization
- Tempering
- Softening
