Induction heating is a controllable heat source, and in combination with appropriate bending methods, can give a consistent material properties and dimensional effects for a wide range of pipe materials – including low and high yield carbon steels, alloy steels, stainless steels, Cr-Ni alloys & titanium.
It is both a shaping and heat treatment process. Induction heating is utilized to generate a narrow circumferential heat band in the pipe during the bending process. This technique enables bending of large diameter and heavy wall pipe with relatively little force.
Aim of induction bending is that the end results of integrity (material properties and defects) and dimensions are achieved as agreed. This requires advanced process control over the principal manufacturing parameters of temperature, speed and cooling rate, as well as the important start and stop procedures.
