ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides a brief description of the specifics of induction heating and a variety of applications that utilize heating by electromagnetic induction. It reviews the critical physical properties of heated materials as well as the theoretical background and specific electromagnetic phenomena utilized to optimize the system. The book also reviews the basic metallurgical aspects and advanced principles related to specifics of heat treatment utilizing electromagnetic heating with emphasis on surface hardening, through hardening, tempering, stress relieving, and annealing of a variety of parts. It also provides an overview of induction joining applications such as brazing, soldering, bonding, cap sealing, shrink fitting, and others. The book then provides detailed descriptions of applications that belong to a group called induction mass heating.
