Microwave-assisted heating behavior of amorphous SiC fibers derived from polycarbosilane

Abstract

Abstract In this study, polymer-derived SiC fibers fabricated using low-melting point PCS (polycarbosilane) were prepared in a mat shape for application as a microwave-assisted heating element. In addition, polymer-derived SiC blocks of various shapes were prepared under the same conditions to verify the heating behavior under the microwave. As a result, the polymer-derived SiC generated more than 1500 °C of heat in tens of seconds under the microwave. The polymer-derived SiC also exhibited different microwave-assisted heating behavior and maximum heating temperature depending on its shape. This microwave heating behavior meant that polymer-derived SiC was more dependent on the conduction loss mechanism than the dipolar loss mechanism. Therefore, as the pyrolysis temperature increased, the pi-electrons needed for the conduction loss were observed by Raman analysis and showed a tendency similar to the heat-generating behavior as the pyrolysis temperature increased.