WIRE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF INDUCTION HEATING

摘要

A wire assembly and method of induction heating in which a composite coating containing a thermoplastic and susceptor particles is extruded over an electrical conductive wire. When an alternating current of an appropriate frequency is passed through the wire, the susceptor particles absorb energy from the alternating magnetic field which is generated by the electric current and thus are heated to the extent that they heat the surrounding thermoplastic as well as materials immediately adjacent to the thermoplastic. Thus, the composite-coated wire can be used to bond thermoplastic parts along a seam in which the wire is placed. In addition, the combination of wire and susceptor-loaded composite can be used to supply heat to activate a thermoset adhesive. The susceptor particles are optimally oriented to and positioned around the electrical conductive wire for absorption of the magnetic field because of the extrusion process and the configuration of the wire with surrounding composite containing the particles.