On-site Heat Treatment Service:
Understanding Electrical Resistance

What is Electrical Resistance?

Electrical resistance is a material property that impedes the flow of electric current, measured in ohms (Ω). It occurs as electrons collide with atoms within a resistive material, converting electrical energy into heat (Joule’s Law). This law is central to providing on-site heat treatment services to our trusted oil, gas, and power generation clientele.

Application of Electrical Resistance in Industrial Heat Treatment
In industrial on-site heat treatment, electrical resistance is utilized to generate controlled, targeted heat for the thermal treatment of metal components. The process involves:

  1. Electric Current Flow: A precisely controlled electric current is introduced into specialized resistance heating elements – known within the industry as Flexible Ceramic Pads (FCP) heating elements.
  2. Heat Generation: As the current flows through the nickel/chrome within the FCP, the inherent resistance generates heat proportional to the current and the material’s resistivity.
  3. Temperature Control: The heat produced is monitored using thermocouples that are placed on, or near, the metal component surface to determine the proper current to be introduced to the FCP’s in order to control the heating or cooling of the component accurately.
  4. Thermal Processing: The heat produced is utilized for preheat and post weld heat treatment applications to achieve specific metallurgical properties in a localized area, such as stress relief, hardness enhancement, or material flexibility.

This technique provides exceptional accuracy and uniformity, ensuring your job is completed in a cost conscious, timely, and safe manner.

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