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Enabling Technology

Industry has been waiting for a method of using the microwave advantage in a practical kiln. An international consortium of 40 companies tested an industrial MAT™ tunnel kiln and found that production loads could be fired at least twice as fast with 50% energy savings, and equivalent or superior properties. MAT is a scalable technology, which is extremely important for ceramics and glass manufacturers.

Ceralink investigated MAT™ further in their Microwave Technology Center and verified the reported results. Ceralink licensed MAT™ exclusively in North America, transferred the technology, and has continued to develop know how, processes, and MAT™ kilns.

In one project, Ceralink demonstrated the feasibility of decreasing the firing time for a strategic carbon foam product. The client, Touchstone Research Laboratory, required almost 1 week to fire the product in a conventional kiln. Lab-scale testing in Ceralink’s MAT™ kiln indicated that the firing time could be reduced by at least 50%.

Touchstone decided to scale the process up into a pilot MAT™ kiln. Ceralink put together a team to design and build a 27 cu. ft. atmosphere control MAT™ kiln. The kiln design was based on Harrop Industries’ elevator kiln. Thermex Thermatron supplied the microwave equipment. Ceralink worked with the equipment suppliers to integrate their two systems. In addition, kiln materials and furniture were tested for microwave compatibility. The MAT™ kiln was successfully commissioned and has been in operation since Dec 2007.

Contact Ceralink for scale-up MAT™ testing and process development.