induction furnace
Quick Summary
An induction furnace is a type of electric furnace that heats materials using electromagnetic induction. A coil carrying an alternating electric current surrounds the furnace's chamber. This current induces eddy currents within the material being heated, generating intense heat.
These furnaces are commonly used for melting and alloying metals, particularly in specialty steelmaking and foundries. They are efficient for precise alloying due to the stirring effect of the electromagnetic field. While they have limited refining capabilities, they can operate under vacuum conditions (vacuum induction melting) to remove gases like carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen from molten metal.123
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
electric furnaceIn the induction furnace, a coil carrying alternating electric current surrounds the container or chamber of metal. Eddy currents are induced in the metal (charge), the circulation of these currents producing extremely high temperatures for melting the metals and for making alloys of exact composition.
Read MoreIn the induction furnace, a coil carrying alternating electric current surrounds the container or chamber of metal. Eddy currents are induced in the metal (charge), the circulation of these currents producing extremely high temperatures for melting the metals and for making alloys of exact composition.
Read More
steelInduction melting…specialty steelmaking shops and foundries, induction furnaces are cylindrical, open-topped, tiltable refractory crucibles with a water-cooled induction coil installed on the outside, around the side wall. The coil is powered by alternating current, which induces eddy currents in the metallic charge that generate heat. The refractory wall of the crucible…
Read More…specialty steelmaking shops and foundries, induction furnaces are cylindrical, open-topped, tiltable refractory crucibles with a water-cooled induction coil installed on the outside, around the side wall. The coil is powered by alternating current, which induces eddy currents in the metallic charge that generate heat. The refractory wall of the crucible…
Read More
