Advantages and Disadvantages of Induction Heating

Advantages and Disadvantages of Induction Heating

Advantages of Induction Heating :

1. Due to skin effect of induction currents the heat can be confined to the surface of the object. Hence induction heating is useful in surface hardening of steel.
2. Very large heating ratio of the order of 5 kW/ cm² can be achieved.
3. Controlled heating of the surface area is achieved so it results in reduction of wasted heat.
4. Total heat transferred to the work-piece can be very closely monitored and controlled with the help of timers.
5. Induction heating is possible in vacuum or in, inert gases as well as in presence of any other gases also.
6. Automatic temperature control with the help of feedback is also possible.
7. The process is neat and clean so the working conditions are pleasant.
8. As the operation is very simple we can use relatively unskilled labours to operate it.
9. The induction heating process does not produce any by products.

Disadvantages of Induction Heating :

1. Cost of the equipment and the cost of the process are very high.
2. Efficiency of heating is poor being less than 50% in many cases.
3. Heating will be more in regions of the work piece closer to heating coil. That means heating takes place in non uniform manner.
4. Generally coil should have the shape of work piece which can prove to be inconvenient practically.
5. Heating will be more at corners of the work piece.

So induction heating is not economical and its use is restricted to the applications where its suitability justifies the cost.