[Rockhounds] Microwave kilns

[Kreigh Tomaszewski]

Peter,

The wikipedia article on microwave ovens has some good background info
on the hazards of using microwaves.

	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_oven

Here is a microwave ceramics kiln good for 2000C

	http://microwaveprocessing.com/kiln.html

Kreigh




Peter Sparks wrote:
> 
> I've been interested in kilns and backyard foundry work for a while, and
> recently a friend mentioned using a microwave to create cubic zirconia,
> and even making diamond coatings with the microwave.  He was really
> interested in knowing "someone that is working on nano deposition (or
> whatever might work) of polymer coatings for surface free energy
> (non-stick)?"
> 
> Well, I'm not going to pursue his question with this group but has
> anyone played with the microwave to make cubic zirconia rough, diamond
> deposition, diamonds, metal casting, stained glass slumping, heat
> treating, ...?  My interest is knowing pitfalls or suggestions for doing
> this kind of work.
> 
> I've included a few links, though I put in the diamond peanut
> butter/briquet as a lark.  If you make any send me some and we'll break
> the diamond monopoly overnight.
> 
> Cubic zirconia
> http://www.geologyrocks.co.uk/tutorials/cubic_zirconia
> 
> Diamond deposition
> http://www.ias.ac.in/pramana/v55/p933/fulltext.pdf
> 
> Briquettes & peanut butter diamonds
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWhtkkOYoxo
> http://www.rangeguide.net/diamonds.htm
> 
> Peter Sparks
> zebulon at isr.umich.edu
>