Flux Field Intensifiers and Induction Heating

Induction heating is the process of heating a conductive material, usually metal, by generating a circulating flow of electrons or eddy currents in the material. One of the biggest benefits of induction heating is its flexibility. It is most certainly not a one-size-fits-all procedure.

Fortunately, this heating effect can be either intensified or shielded by using materials that control the magnetic flux field generated by the induction coil. These materials are called magnetic flux concentrators or flux intensifiers.

“Flux concentrators are made from high permeability, low power loss materials,” writes Zion Industries, a induction heating Ohio-based company. Most commonly, a molded material consisting of iron powders in a compacted non-conductive binder or lamination style concentrators are used as flux field intensifiers.

Sometimes, depending on its application, metal needs to be compressed or intensified in certain area. Under normal conditions the field of the coil is drawn to the load side closest to the work piece. Some of the field naturally flows around the other sides of the coil. In this way, flux intensifiers can help focus more energy towards the work piece. By wrapping the sides of the coil and creating an opening towards the work pieces, the additional flux field is focused into a smaller area and results in improved coil to work piece coupling.