What materials are safe in a microwave?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter camerart
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Materials Microwave
Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
7 replies · 2K views
camerart
Messages
53
Reaction score
4
Hi,
I am carrying out some tests using the laser image transfer method, where the image of a circuit is put on a PCB as an acid resist, so leaving the circuit in copper. My thread PCB by Laser transfer.

My method is a 'sandwich' of two stiff plates app 110x160mm bolted at the edges. PLATE-SILICON SHEET-IMAGE-PCB-IMAGE-SILICON-PLATE. The plates need to compress the silicon enough to give even pressure to the image, and be able to withstand heat up to perhaps 250C.

I am trying different methods of heating, this time I want to test microwaves. I've tried it with plastic and rubber bands, the band snapped and the plastic melted, but it worked. So now I need a better approach. (No metal)
Any suggestions, for materials for this. Obviously I don't want dangerous fumes.
Camerart.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
on Phys.org
sophiecentaur said:
Glass? Too hot perhaps. No - just looked it up. 550 celsius for cheap glass.
Hi S,
Glass is a possibility, although for clamping it would be better to have a material that could be drilled. I know Pyrex is oven proof, but I'm not sure about plate glass or house glass/
C.
 
sophiecentaur said:
Glass is drillable if you get the right stuff. Contact a supplier? Tell them your requirements.
Hi S,
I had just looking up diamond glass drills, then I got the idea of terracotta tiles.
Guess what I was cutting yesterday? A/Terracotta tiles. I'll test these out first.
Thanks, C.
 
Wait, you're putting metalized board material in your microwave? Bad for the oven on two scores: first, metal in a microwave (no-no), second no absorptive material (empty ovens are also a no-no).
 
marcusl said:
Wait, you're putting metalized board material in your microwave? Bad for the oven on two scores: first, metal in a microwave (no-no), second no absorptive material (empty ovens are also a no-no).
Hi M,
Ok, that answers my question, thanks.
Microwave idea gone!
C.