The heating of an insulating material when placed in a radio frequency field, caused by internal losses during the rapid polarization reversal of molecules in the material.
The plastic to be heated forms the dielectric of a condenser to which is applied a high-frequency (20 to 80 mc..) voltage. Dielectric loss in the material is the basis. Process used for sealing vinyl films and preheating thermoset moulding compounds.
Dielectric heating (also known as electronic heating, RF heating, high-frequency heating) is the phenomenon in which radiowave or microwave electromagnetic radiation heats a dielectric material, especially as caused by dipole rotation.