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capthook
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I'm trying to get feedback on electromagnet design and specifically sourcing premium core material for a pulse coil electromagnet. I have seen this question asked a few times on this forum, but doesn't appear to have really been answered.
What is THE BEST core material and where to source small quantities? Links? Suppliers?
To make the most efficient and strongest electromagnet I am wondering what I should be looking for in core material. The cores will be 3/8" x 2" wrapped with 1200 turns #24 AWG magnet wire. This will be a DC circuit with voltages around 3volts @ .5 amps.
Hysteresis and eddy currents aren't an issue as it is a low-cycle application. Strongest electromagnet per watt is the primary goal.
Currently I am using a grade 2 hex bolt, permeability of 50-100u, so I'm looking to increase efficiency by upgrading core material.
99.99% iron and electrical steel are two possible choices I have considered (2000u?), but are difficult to source in small quantities.
Does anyone have links/suppliers for these?
(http://www.surepure.com/products.php?ID=7&meas1_ID=41&subCat=23 @ $96!)
What about 1018 cold-rolled steel?
I have also tried 2000u ferrite rods with very poor results - you would think the high permeability would make a good core - but it seems to just 'suck up' the flux rather than transmitting it.
Mu-metal, Somalloy, Permalloy, Powdered Iron cores etc. seem as though they would perform like the ferrite rods - high permeability but low performance? Due to low saturation points?
And these high u materials seem to be used mostly as shielding etc. not cores.
Please help me figure on the best core material and where to source it in small quantities!
Thanks!
CH
What is THE BEST core material and where to source small quantities? Links? Suppliers?
To make the most efficient and strongest electromagnet I am wondering what I should be looking for in core material. The cores will be 3/8" x 2" wrapped with 1200 turns #24 AWG magnet wire. This will be a DC circuit with voltages around 3volts @ .5 amps.
Hysteresis and eddy currents aren't an issue as it is a low-cycle application. Strongest electromagnet per watt is the primary goal.
Currently I am using a grade 2 hex bolt, permeability of 50-100u, so I'm looking to increase efficiency by upgrading core material.
99.99% iron and electrical steel are two possible choices I have considered (2000u?), but are difficult to source in small quantities.
Does anyone have links/suppliers for these?
(http://www.surepure.com/products.php?ID=7&meas1_ID=41&subCat=23 @ $96!)
What about 1018 cold-rolled steel?
I have also tried 2000u ferrite rods with very poor results - you would think the high permeability would make a good core - but it seems to just 'suck up' the flux rather than transmitting it.
Mu-metal, Somalloy, Permalloy, Powdered Iron cores etc. seem as though they would perform like the ferrite rods - high permeability but low performance? Due to low saturation points?
And these high u materials seem to be used mostly as shielding etc. not cores.
Please help me figure on the best core material and where to source it in small quantities!
Thanks!
CH
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