Question:
Which packaging material that is used to create a localised high temperature in microwave ovens; usually made from lightly metallised polyethylene terephthalate?
Which packaging material that is used to create a localised high temperature in microwave ovens; usually made from lightly metallised polyethylene terephthalate?
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The silver-colored "patch" you see inside a microwave popcorn bag or on the bottom of a microwave pizza tray is the susceptor!
Updated On: Aug 7, 2026
- PVC
- HDPE
- Polymides
- Susceptor
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Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This question focuses on specialized microwave packaging technology. It describes a material designed to absorb microwave radiation and convert it into heat to enable surface browning or crisping of food items.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
• Microwave Heating Basics: Standard microwave heating occurs via dielectric heating (molecular friction of water). This is efficient for bulk heating but does not reach high enough surface temperatures for the Maillard reaction (browning/crisping).
• The Susceptor Concept: A susceptor is a material used for its ability to absorb electromagnetic energy and convert it to heat. In food packaging, it is typically a very thin layer of metal (often aluminum) vacuum-deposited onto a heat-resistant plastic film like PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate).
• Function: When placed in a microwave, the metal layer in the susceptor heats up rapidly via induction and conduction. This localized high temperature (often exceeding $200^\circ C$) allows for "active packaging" effects like crisping pizza crusts or popping popcorn.
• Other Materials: PVC (A), HDPE (B), and Polyamides (C) are conventional polymers that are mostly microwave-transparent and do not generate heat themselves.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The material described is a Susceptor.
This question focuses on specialized microwave packaging technology. It describes a material designed to absorb microwave radiation and convert it into heat to enable surface browning or crisping of food items.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
• Microwave Heating Basics: Standard microwave heating occurs via dielectric heating (molecular friction of water). This is efficient for bulk heating but does not reach high enough surface temperatures for the Maillard reaction (browning/crisping).
• The Susceptor Concept: A susceptor is a material used for its ability to absorb electromagnetic energy and convert it to heat. In food packaging, it is typically a very thin layer of metal (often aluminum) vacuum-deposited onto a heat-resistant plastic film like PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate).
• Function: When placed in a microwave, the metal layer in the susceptor heats up rapidly via induction and conduction. This localized high temperature (often exceeding $200^\circ C$) allows for "active packaging" effects like crisping pizza crusts or popping popcorn.
• Other Materials: PVC (A), HDPE (B), and Polyamides (C) are conventional polymers that are mostly microwave-transparent and do not generate heat themselves.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The material described is a Susceptor.
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