Loss on Drying Test by Microwave Drying (CAT#: STEM-PPA-0004-WXH)

Introduction

This is another gravimetric method which uses several steps to dry the sample while taking repeated weight measurements. The microwaves heat and vaporize the moisture in the sample extremely fast, taking minutes rather than hours or days. Moreover, the sample size does not have to be very small. The disadvantage is the inability to use it on samples which undergo degradation at high temperatures, since the sample may heat up to 140°C to 750°C with microwave heating. The occurrence of structural change or alteration in composition may lead to false readings due to the production of water during degradation, or may introduce errors due to mass loss other than due to moisture vaporization.