INDUCTION HEATING

Induction heating is the process of heating an electrically conducting object (u

sually a metal) by electromagnetic induction, through heat generated in the obje
ct by eddy currents (also called Foucault currents). An induction heater consist
s of an electromagnet, and an electronic oscillator that passes a high-frequency
alternating current (AC) through the electromagnet. The rapidly alternating mag
netic field penetrates the object, generating electric currents inside the condu
ctor called eddy currents. The eddy currents flowing through the resistance of t
he material heat it by Joule heating. In ferromagnetic (and ferrimagnetic) mater
ials like iron, heat may also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses. The fr
equency of current used depends on the object size, material type, coupling (bet
ween the work coil and the object to be heated) and the penetration depth.
An important feature of the induction heating process is that the heat is genera
ted inside the object itself, instead of by an external heat source via heat con
duction. Thus objects can be very rapidly heated. In addition there need not be
any external contact, which can be important where contamination is an issue. In
duction heating is used in many industrial processes, such as heat treatment in
metallurgy, Czochralski crystal growth and zone refining used in the semiconduct
or industry, and to melt refractory metals which require very high temperatures.
It is also used in induction cooktops for heating containers of food; this is c
alled induction cooking.
Applications
Induction heating allows the targeted heating of an applicable item for applicat
ions including surface hardening, melting, brazing and soldering and heating to
fit.
1 Induction furnace:An induction furnace uses induction to heat metal to its mel
ting point.
2 Induction welding:A similar, smaller-scale process is used for induction weldi
ng.
3 Induction cooking:In induction cooking, an induction coil in the cook-top heat
s the iron base of cookware by cyclic magnetic induction.
4 Induction brazing:Induction brazing is often used in higher production runs.
5 Induction sealing: Induction heating is used in cap sealing of containers in t
he food and pharmaceutical industries.
6 Heating to fit: Induction heating is often used to heat an item causing it to
expand prior to fitting or assembly.
7 Heat treatment :Induction heating is often used in the heat treatment of metal
items.
8 Plastic processing: Induction heating is used in plastic injection molding mac
hines.