Heat transfer and temperature distribution during high-frequency induction cladding of 45 steel plate

High-frequency induction cladding, a new surface-modification technology with high thermal efficiency and good formability, can be used to improve the surface mechanical properties of metal components. In this study, a three-dimensional electromagnetic-thermal multifield coupling model was developed to investigate heat transfer and temperature distribution in high-frequency induction cladding. Results showed that the heat used to melt the powder coating originates from the substrate-coating interface and that melting proceeds from the interior to the exterior of the coating. The effects of current density, current frequency, and air-gap spacing on temperature distribution were analyzed by using the effective size of the cladding area and the maximum temperature difference in the coating as reflections of temperature distribution. Microstructure analysis indicated that the dissolution of WC particles corresponds with temperature distribution, and a temperature field with low temperature difference in the coating is helpful for obtaining uniform microhardness distribution.