Numerical simulation of continuous induction steel bar end heating with material properties depending on temperature and magnetic field

Continuous induction steel bar end heating is investigated by means of numerical calculations. A numerical model is used for the calculation of the three-dimensional eddy current and the heating process. The differential equations describing the electromagnetic field are integrated as an A-/spl phi/ formulation. For the calculation of the temperature fields, Fourier's heat-conduction equation is used. On principle, the finite element method is used for the numerical solution. The effect of material properties depending on temperature and magnetic field are taken into consideration in an iterative manner. The results of simulation correspond well to experimental data and give good transparency of the process. The computing time, however, is too long for an effective realization of optimization processes.