It was recalled that diffusion-based processes such as sintering were substantially enhanced in the presence of a microwave field, and it was suggested here that the diffusion of O into the present material might also be affected in this way. The oxygenation of melt-processed material, using conventional and microwave-assisted heating, was therefore compared. The diffusivity at 400 and 450C was shown to be enhanced by about 30% by applying a high-frequency microwave field. The equilibrium value of the O content was not affected by using the field.

A.T.Rowley, R.Wroe, D.Vázquez-Navarro, W.Lo, D.A.Cardwell: Journal of Materials Science, 1997, 32[5], 4541-7