Initial conceptual work was done at Penn State Materials Research Labs with significant support from United States DOE.

Dennis Tool developed and sells commercial equipment for microwave sintering cemented carbide and other materials.

Dennis Tool developed raw material specifications and processing parameters for special carbide grades for PDC substrates and Roller Cone bit inserts.

Dramatic improvements have been demonstrated in impact strength, abrasion resistance, and erosion resistance of microwave sintered tungsten carbide. 

Diamond can be added to tungsten carbide  to form a new family of Mahlonite ^TM  diamond-carbide composites with exceptional abrasion and cutting properties.

Shorter sintering time yields less chemical and phase changes in the cobalt binder phase

Through heating can be achieved for more uniform shrinkage and cobalt distribution

Shorter sintering times  decrease grain size changes, yielding more predictable and consistent grain structures, and allows addition of diamond without graphitization

Ability to uniformly cool parts quickly after sintering for stress management and metal binder phase control

More efficient energy transfer due to direct heating

Tougher, more wear resistant materials

Submicron cemented carbide grades

Mixed cemented carbide grades

Layered cemented carbide grades

Diamond Impregnated grades

Submicron ceramic/cermet grades

Longer life nozzles

Longer life wear parts

Longer life bearing materials