5. Conclusion

Microwave polymerization is subject to two very specific and essential conditions:

• knowledge of the value and evolution of the two dielectric characteristics as a function of temperature and as a function of the state of the reactants and products. The reactants are generally in the liquid state (possibly with high viscosity) and the products are in the solid state (basic characteristic of thermosetting polymers);

• consideration of the shape and dimensions of the finished objects, as the use of dielectric hysteresis heating requires a high-frequency electrical stress corresponding to the dielectric relaxation time constant, which is always in the microsecond or nanosecond range.

These reminders generally help to interpret the difficulties that may be encountered in implementing...