Influence of half open coil structures on overall continuous induction heating of variable cross section pipe before quenching

Abstract

Resistance heating of variable cross-section pipes before quenching can cause austenite grain coarsening, leading to inferior properties in thin-wall segments. This method also suffers from low heating efficiency, high energy consumption, and is time-consuming. This study compared the effects of variable cross section (VCS) and equal cross section (ECS) coil structures on overall continuous induction heating, aiming to investigate rapid and uniform heating solutions for this type of pipe. The results showed that the workpiece could be heated to the quenching temperature of 890 °C within 30 min using both coils. The ECS coil demonstrated superior heating efficiency, while the VCS coil exhibited better heating quality along the axial direction. Optimizations in VCS coil, including dynamic power control and insulation measures significantly improved the heating quality, with the final temperature distribution of the workpiece basically meeting the quenching requirements. Furthermore, an induction heating experiment was conducted to validate the reliability of the analysis model, showing good alignment with the simulated results. Overall, the application of half-open coil induction heating for variable cross-section pipes is feasible, offering a high efficiency and qualified heating quality. However, this technology is better suited for large-scale manufacturing, as each coil structure can only match one product specification; otherwise, it could significantly increase equipment costs. Additionally, for heating large workpieces, the workshop should have sufficient electrical load capacity to meet the power supply requirements.