ABSTRACT
Exclusive characteristics like being faster, efficient, greener, and economical make microwave irradiation manufacturing (MIM) a novel and sustainable manufacturing technique. The commonly used microwave frequency is 2.45 GHz for the processing of materials. The MIM technique has been used to join, clad, weld, cast, and drill various materials. MIM offers improved mechanical properties of metal and polymer matrix composites. The processing of a polymer matrix is easy and fast compared to that of a metal matrix using the MIM technique. Polymer matrices reinforced with nano-particles, nano-fillers, and natural fibers has been successfully manufactured using the MIM technique. The main focus of this chapter is to elaborate on the MIM technique in the context of polymer composites, the improved mechanical properties of different polymer composites, and the issues faced while manufacturing these composites.
