Induction Shrink Fitting

What is Induction Shrink Fitting?

Induction shrink fitting is the use of induction heating technology to preheat metal parts between 150 ˚C and 300 ˚C thus causing them to expand and allow for the insertion or removal of another component. Induction Shrink Fitting technique comprises the heating of the ‘outer’ component so that it undergoes thermal expansion. The two components can then be comparatively easily fitted together. Induction Shrink Fitting is widely used in the automotive industry to shrink fit gears and rings and also used for shrink fitting tasks on offshore platforms and are increasingly used in heavy duty to take out the giant nuts and bolts in industries like turbines of power stations and turbines of power stations.

What is the process of Induction Shrink Fitting?

Normally, metals expand when heated known as thermal expansion. This effect is exploited by Induction shrink fitting to either fit or remove parts. A metal part is Induction heated to between 150 °C and 300 °C which makes it expand and allow for the insertion or removal of another component. When, for example, fitting two components of pipe together, one part is heated until its diameter is expanded sufficiently to be fitted over the other part. When the connected component returns to normal temperature, the joint becomes strong and is called shrink fitted. Similarly, thermal expansion can be used to slacken the joint before disassembly.

What are the advantages of induction shrink fitting?

Induction Shrink Fitting process allows consistency, controllability, accuracy and speed. Also, the heat being produced within the part, you only heat the component you need rather than the whole assembly or atmosphere around it. The Induction Shrink Fitting process produces exceptionally uniform consistent heat, allowing less heat to be used and the temperature mechanism is accurate with precise control of ramp-up times and holding temperatures. Induction Shrink Fitting involves no naked flame which allows this method to be used in a wide range of applications in unpredictable environments like in petrochemical applications.