Induction Furnaces
An induction furnace uses a combination of electrical resistance and hysteresis losses to heat metal. The furnace heats the metal by exposing it to the magnetic field around a coil-carrying alternating current. These enclosed structures use induction heating sources to produce heat for industrial purposes. In order to withstand long-term use, induction furnaces are made with a variety of heat-resistant (refractory) elements to. The enclosed space within the furnace holds the material, gas, or air being heated until the desired temperature is reached. Within an induction furnace, the heated area is easily controlled by the shape and size of the inductor coil, yielding a uniform, high-performance end-product.
Induction furnaces are the most widely used type of furnace for melting iron and are increasingly popular for melting non-ferrous metals. Because they provide outstanding metallurgical control and are relatively pollution-free, induction furnaces have become a quite popular choice for heating purposes. Induction furnaces are also popular due to their ability to heat materials quite rapidly. Induction heating features an absence of noise, fumes, and radiated heat, making it favorable for operators as well.
Applications for induction furnaces include baking, aging, brazing, annealing, curing, firing, drying, burn-off, foundry, hot pressing, laboratory uses, heat treating, quenching, and preheating. While carbon steel is by far the most common material heated, induction heating is also used with many other conducting materials, such as stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, nickel, and titanium. Important factors to consider when selecting an induction furnace are its configuration, atmosphere, control, general specifications, and features.