The Benefits of Using Induction Heating for Brazing

Induction heating is used for countless industrial heating applications. That said, brazing is perhaps our most common application. In this blog post we'll review the reasons why many manufacturers turn to induction heating for their brazing applications. The advantages include:

• Precise, localized heat: Induction heating can be used to heat very specific areas of a workpiece, without affecting the surrounding material, allowing manufacturers to meet tight tolerances. This is ideal for brazing, where it is important to heat the joint evenly while avoiding overheating the base metal.
• Repeatable results: Induction heating systems can deliver a precise amount of heat to a workpiece for a specific amount of time. This ensures that the brazing process is repeatable and consistent, from part to part, time after time. It is difficult to have that repeatability with a heating method such as torch heating which is operator dependent. 
• Fast heating cycles: Induction can heat metals very quickly, which can reduce the overall brazing time. This can be especially beneficial for high-volume production applications where increasing throughput is vital.
• Clean and safe process: Induction heating is a non-contact process, which means that there is no open flame or risk of combustion. This makes it a safer and cleaner alternative to traditional brazing methods.
• Energy efficiency: Induction heating is a very energy-efficient process, as it only heats the metal that needs to be brazed. This can lead to significant energy savings, especially in high-volume production environments.
• A Green Option: Induction doesn't use gas and can be a part of companies electrification/CO2 reduction initiatives.

In addition to these advantages, induction heating is versatile and can also be used to braze a wide range of metals, including ferrous and non-ferrous materials. It is also compatible with a variety of brazing filler metals.

Here are some specific applications where induction heating is commonly used for brazing:

• Automotive industry: brazing of heat exchangers, radiators, condensers, and other components.
• Aerospace industry: brazing of honeycomb structures, aircraft components, and engine parts.
• Electronics industry: brazing of electronic components, such as heat sinks, connectors, and terminals.
• Medical device industry: numerous applications exist for brazing within medical device manufacturing.
• HVAC Manufacturing: brazing of copper tubing and fittings is commonly done with induction heating in this segment.

In summary, induction heating is a versatile and efficient method for brazing a wide range of materials. It offers many advantages over traditional brazing methods, including precise and localized heat, repeatable results, fast heating cycles, a clean and safe process, and energy efficiency. Learn more about brazing and the many brazing applications THE LAB at Ambrell has tested by clicking the image below.