The oven and microwave manufacturing industry continues to grow, largely due to increasing innovations in convection ovens, grill ovens, and single-door microwave ovens.
With the help of adhesives and sealants for ovens and microwaves, these advancements allow manufacturers to increase production speed, reduce production costs, and produce higher-quality products.
How a microwave oven works
A microwave oven consists primarily of five components that form the basis of its operation:
- the magnetron;
- an electrical power circuit that also controls the magnetron;
- a waveguide;
- a cooling fan;
- the cooking cavity.
Its operation is extremely simple: the magnetron generates a stream of microwaves, with power ranging from 400 to 1000 watts, guided into the cooking cavity by the waveguide.
The microwaves are reflected by the oven walls and the base plate, moving inside the cavity as if trapped, reaching the food, which undergoes dielectric heating.
Microwaves are high-frequency electromagnetic waves that have the ability to pass through some materials but not others. Inside the oven cavity, they are contained and prevented from passing through, as the cavity is constructed of non-permeable material; the only potential point of passage would be the glass, but it is constructed with a layer of transparent metal mesh featuring an electromagnetic shield to block the passage of microwaves while simultaneously allowing light to pass through for a clear view inside the cavity.
The door locking mechanism is equipped with special switches that immediately shut off the magnetron in the event of accidental or intentional door opening. Once the power level is set, the magnetron begins emitting microwaves, and a relay, based on the setting, turns the system on and off under the control of the microprocessor.
Adhesives and sealants for ovens and microwaves
The main adhesive applications inside ovens and microwaves involve bonding the outer and inner window to the frame. Adhesives offer many unique advantages over mechanical fastening methods.
Dowsil silicone adhesives and sealants provide ideal solutions for oven and microwave manufacturing thanks to:
- heat resistance up to 250 °C;
- adhesives for bonding glass;
- adhesives for bonding painted metals;
- environmentally friendly and sustainable;
- flame-retardant and low flammability.
Here we explore our recommended range of adhesives for ovens and microwaves.
Dowsil™ EA-2626
Dowsil™ EA-2626 is a two-component adhesive and sealant, consisting of a Dowsil™ EA-2626 base and a SILASTIC™ Q3-3636 catalyst, which can be used in applications up to 190 °C. It offers rapid deep cure, curing from the inside out rather than from the outside in like most moisture-curing adhesives. This product was specifically developed to provide adhesive sealing for components with different rates of thermal expansion.
Dowsil™ 3-6096
Dowsil™ 3-6096 is a one-component adhesive that can be used to bond oven and microwave doors and cooktops. Dowsil™ 3-6096 is:
- strong;
- flexible;
- stable from -40°C to +250°C;
- cures rapidly;
- forms a durable, flexible rubber.
This product provides excellent bonds to substrates with dissimilar thermal expansion.
Dowsil™ 732
Dowsil™ 732 is a multipurpose sealant that can be used to seal microwave doors. It is available in white, black, clear, and aluminum, allowing for use in a variety of ovens and microwaves.
Dowsil™ 732 is stable and flexible from -60°C to +205°C, easy to apply, and cures to a durable, flexible rubber.
Dowsil™ 736
Dowsil™ 736 is a heat-resistant sealant capable of withstanding temperatures up to 315°C, making it suitable for sealing oven doors. It can be applied to the top or side walls and does not sag.
Reliable solutions for the manufacture of ovens and microwaves
Dowsil™ silicone adhesives and sealants help manufacturers improve the reliability, durability and performance of ovens and microwaves exposed to continuous thermal stress and demanding operating conditions. From glass bonding to high-temperature sealing applications, these materials promote efficient manufacturing processes whilst ensuring long-term stability and safety.
MD Poland supports manufacturers with technical expertise and a wide range of Dowsil™solutions for high-temperature applications. Contact the experts at MD Poland to identify the adhesive or sealant best suited to your manufacturing needs.
