MODELING INDUCTION-HEATING OF HIGH-MELTING POINT ALLOY SLUGS FOR HIGH-TEMPERATURE MECHANICAL PROCESSING

Semisolid metal (SSM) processing is a novel way of producing near net shape components by forming them in the semisolid condition. The poten tial of processing high melting point alloys such as tool steels and S tellites, through the SSM route has previously been demonstrated, and this work also highlighted the necessity of uniform heating and partia l melting of slugs before forming. Electromagnetic induction heating i s a much more effective and versatile method for commercial production applications in this technology. A programme of computer modelling th e induction heating and partial melting of high melting point alloy sl ugs, coupled with experimental verification, has been set up between E A Technology and the University of Sheffield. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the agreement of experimental and calculated data, and show how once a model has been set up and verified, it can prove an e xtremely useful tool in providing the appropriate induction heating co nditions for alloys whose thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties are known and determining sensitive features of the process. (C) 1996 The Institute of Materials.