Re: [ATM] Microwave heating of glass

[Mike Lockwood <melockwo@uiuc.edu>]

Hi,

GARY FUCHS wrote:
> "Since the energy level is readily controlled on any microwave"
> I recall hearing that home microwave ovens have only one energy
> level and that the "lower" settings cycle full power for varying
> periods. Is that true? If so, what impact, if any, might that have
> on the annealing?
> Gary Fuchs

My guess is that the microwave or something else would have melted, 
burst into flames, exploded, or simply ceased to work before the 
annealing point was reached.

Even if the equipment survived, microwaves are notorious for having 
hot spots, and this couldn't be good for any hope of having a 
precisely controlled temperature.  That's the point of an insulated 
kiln with distributed elements - the temperatures are very uniform and 
stable throughout the kiln, not to mention the energy savings of the 
insulation and the relative safety it provides to those near it.

Seems like annealing with a microwave is akin to making a mirror with 
a jackhammer - not the right tool.

	Drinking beer behind the blast shield,

	Mike Lockwood


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