Physical Subtleties of Induction Heating Aluminum Alloys

Abstract:  Induction offers a proven, efficient, and reliable solution for heating a variety of different metals.  This presentation will address the induction heating of aluminum alloys, focusing particularly on the electromagnetic and thermal phenomena inherent to the aluminum heating processes.  Leveraging numerical computer simulation, a number of commonly over-looked physical subtleties will be discussed, including but not limited to:

• Consequences of physical property differences between common aluminum alloys
• Thermal challenges resulting from with electromagnetic “end effect”
• Implications and significance of electromagnetic forces

A number of induction heating processes will be discussed in this presentation, including the continuous heating of billets, bars, and rods (typically higher-volume heating) and the lower-production static heating of large billets and tubes (typically lower-volume heating).