Chapter 20
Q. 20.4
Design/Selection of Magnetic Materials
Select an appropriate magnetic material for the following applications: a high electrical-efficiency motor, a magnetic device to keep cupboard doors closed, a magnet used in an ammeter or voltmeter, and magnetic resonance imaging.
Step-by-Step
Verified Solution
High electrical-efficiency motor: To minimize hysteresis losses, we might use an oriented silicon iron, taking advantage of its anisotropic behavior and its small hysteresis loop. Since the iron-silicon alloy is electrically conductive, we would produce a laminated structure with thin sheets of the silicon iron sandwiched between a nonconducting dielectric material. Sheets thinner than about 0.5 mm might be recommended.
Magnet for cupboard doors: The magnetic latches used to fasten cupboard doors must be permanent magnets; however, low cost is a more important design feature than high power. An inexpensive ferritic steel or a low-cost ferrite would be recommended.
Magnets for an ammeter or voltmeter: For these applications, alnico alloys (iron alloys that also contain Al, Ni, and Co) are particularly effective. We find that these alloys are among the least sensitive to changes in temperature, ensuring accurate current or voltage readings over a range of temperatures.
Magnetic resonance imaging: One of the applications for MRI is in medical diagnostics. In this case, we want a very powerful magnet. A \ Nd_{2}Fe_{12}B magnetic material, which has an exceptionally high BH product, might be recommended for this application. We can also make use of very strong electromagnets fabricated from superconductors.