Core materials for magnetic latching wire spring relays

The magnetic characteristics of medium carbon steels were examined to determine whether these steels can be used as core materials for magnetic latching wire spring relays. The analysis of the data show that steels with a carbon content ranging from 0.35 per cent to 0.50 per cent, heat treated to a Rockwell hardness ranging from 30 to 45 points on the “C” scale, are satisfactory core materials. The analysis further shows that the relays are latched more securely if the carbon content of the steel used for the core is high, and that the hardness in the above-mentioned range has very little effect on the latching characteristics.