The benefits of Red-D-Arc induction heating over other processes

Induction heating tends to be safer and more accurate than torch or furnace heating.

Among the many great industrial solutions that Red-D-Arc Welderentals provides for Canadian businesses is equipment for induction heating. This is a heat-treating process that can change the mechanical properties of a weld and its adjacent base metal to meet the needs of a specific application. It relies on the science of electromagnetism.

A recent blog entry by Red-D-Arc discusses the many benefits that this type of heating has over other processes, such as torch or furnace heating.

Higher accuracy, more safety

One common method is torch heating, which is not as accurate as induction heating, according to Red-D-Arc. In torch heating, flames heat pieces in varied ways, and the operation involves heating on the outside of the part and then letting the temperature “soak” its way inside. It also poses safety hazards through the use of combustible gases. Volatile gases can explode, injuring workers and destroying property; they also release dangerous fumes that may require respiration of fume removal, particularly in confined spaces.

The induction method, meanwhile, can employ a variety of electrical frequencies to adjust the initial heating position within the material’s depth to some extent, and workers can adjust the width and the length of the heated material precisely. Induction heating also releases no hazardous fumes when performed correctly, so there is no explosion risk.

Furnace heating involves using electrical resistors as heating coils, a process that can take a long time with thick parts. Like torch heating, this method heats the exterior surface of the base material first and lets the temperature soak into the core. But induction treatment tends to be far quicker, heating the core far more quickly. Equipment such as the Miller ProHeat has induction coils that are far more portable than furnace operations, making them more practical.

An induction-heating system tends to be more costly than a torch-heating system, but Red-D-Arc customers can save money over the long run by renting the company’s induction-heating equipment over short periods. This way, businesses can reap all the benefits of this heating process without putting a substantial investment into it.

For more information, contact Red-D-Arc Welderentals.

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