Soft magnetic composite materials-use for electrical machines

Powder metallurgy has long been recognised as a cost effective method of producing high volumes of consistent parts for magnetic applications, particularly for DC applications and for hard magnetic materials. Powder metallurgy offers advantages including high material utilisation, precise material control, and the ability to produce relatively complex shapes. The structure of the paper is to first describe the nature, production and properties of the material, then move on to a discussion of its application in electrical machines. The paper ends with a description of a prototype machine, used to explore the material in a practical setting.