Induction Heating Metal: What Metals Can be Induction Heated?

04 Sep.,2023

 

Which Metals are Suitable for Induction Heating?

Induction heating works fine on conductive materials, such as ferrous metal. Ferrous metals are those with high tensile durability and strength. In addition, the composition of such metals includes a good amount of carbon. This is the one main reason they are rust-proof.

Below are induction heating metal types you can heat with induction heating.

Stainless Steel

Although stainless steel is available in different thicknesses and finishes, induction heating can work with all types of stainless steel metals. Generally, a low-powered induction is utilized to heat stainless steel. The induction heating process for stainless steel metal is followed by effective cooling.

Brass

Brass is a common metal used in defense, aerospace, and similar industries.

Nowadays, a large number of manufacturers use induction heating systems for the annealing of brass. One good example of this is the annealing of brass bullet shells.

Iron

An induction heating system can heat and melt almost all iron and iron castings. Since iron metal is a conductive ferrous metal, induction heating can quickly transfer heat to it.

Gold

Gold is another metal for which induction heating technology can be used. Workers at gold mines use induction heating systems to melt this precious metal. In addition, gold refining firms also utilize induction heating to melt gold for precise assay.

Silver

Like gold, silver is also an induction heating metal. A wide range of silver and gold melting furnaces are available in the market. What makes them a better choice over traditional furnaces is that they do not harm the environment when casting silver or other precious metals.

Copper

Copper is one of the challenging metals to heat with induction. However, using induction heating to braze copper pipes is a common scenario in several industries. After all, it is safer and quicker to braze copper than the flame.

Platinum

Platinum also works fine with induction heating technology. Platinum HF induction systems are a great example of how induction heating can be used to anneal and hard platinum metal.

Alloy Steel

The properties of alloy steel are compatible with induction heating and heat treatments. Manufacturing firms use induction furnaces to melt or heat-treat alloy steel.

Titanium

Titanium is a high-strength metal resistant to chlorine, seawater, and more. This metal is common in surgical applications, spacecraft, aircraft, and more. Metals like titanium require accurate heating. As a result, induction heating technology is used to heat-treat it. In several industries, oscillating induction furnaces are used to heat long titanium billets precisely.

Aluminum

While aluminum metal features high electrical conductivity, induction heating is an effective and proven technique to heat aluminum. The use of induction heating is common on aluminum billets and aluminum alloys. After all, it offers precise and non-contact heating.

Other Compatible Induction Heating Materials:

  • Cobalt
  • Nickel and Nickel Alloys
  • Tungsten
  • Lead
  • Cast Iron
  • Gold Sand
  • Steel
  • Tin
  • High Specific Resistance Plastics