Induction Heating of Microalloyed Forging Steels

Microalloyed steels are being used more extensively by the forging industry in a production process that requires a more precise control of billet temperature when delivered to the forging press or forging hammer. Although induction has become the prime billet heater of choice for most forgers, some of the older induction installations are not able to provide the technology required to successfully control the final product specifications of a microalloyed steel forging. This paper will present fundamental theory concepts of induction billet heating for forging as well as the conceptual design of an induction billet heater presently being used for various grades of microalloyed steels.