Induction heating for metal processing

Induction heating is the process of transferring electrical energy from a primary circuit to a metal part forming a secondary circuit, in which Joule losses are transformed into heat. Energy transfer is based on the properties of induction.

Induction allows energy to be transmitted directly into the product, without any physical contact. It ensures very high power densities (up to 4-6 MW/m ² ), rapid heating, high temperature accuracy and generally very good efficiency. This is why induction heating is widely used for heating prior to deformation, for all heat treatments and heating of wires, tubes and strips, and for assembly operations such as welding or brazing.

In this article, we will focus mainly on application to steel. Other metal alloys are dealt with elsewhere.

Figure 1 summarizes the thermal interventions in the first steel transformations and the associated operations.

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