Selecting the right frequency

The choice of frequency is crucial when using induction heating, as frequency determines the heats penetration depth. Fig. 3 shows approximate frequencies
for through-heating some common materials.

Material

Frequency
Aluminum

Steel

Steel

non-magnetic

magnetic

and aluminum
Brass

Copper

alloys

Final temp.
1,200C

700C

800C

850C

500C

mm

mm

mm

mm

mm

Hz

150 500

2775

110

50

50

50

60 250

8 35

35 440

22 800

22 800

500

40 175

6 25

30 300

15 600

15 600

1,000

25 100

3.5 14

15 180

9350

9350

3,000

20 85

2.5 10.5

10 130

7260

7260

5,000

14 60

2 8.5

8 100

5 180

5 180

10,000

10 40

1.5 5.5

6 75

3125

3125

20,000

5 22

0.73.0

3.5 40

275

275

60,000

417

0.5 2.0

2.5 30

1.5 60

1.5 60

100,000

1.8 8

0.21.0

1.215

0.6 20

0.6 20

500,000

Fig. 3. Some economically beneficial ranges of dimensions for common materials at different frequencies. The frequencies shown are approximate guides only. The shortest heating time for specific materials and dimensions is achieved by
operating close to the lowest possible frequency limit.

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