Advances in contemporary soft magnetic materials – a review

Magnetic cores, made of soft magnetic materials, are an integral part of electric machines and power electronic devices. The properties of soft magnetic materials, such as maximum induction, coercivity, permeability and specific loss, determine the final properties of devices, including their efficiency. The paper presents the properties of contemporary soft magnetic materials, their advantages and disadvantages compared to conventional electrical steels and the possible benefits of their use as magnetic core materials. Pro-ecological and economic aspects of their application will also be discussed.