https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1243&context=ameslab_manuscripts

Review of Fe-6.5 wt%Si high silicon steel—A promising soft magnetic material for sub-kHz application

Owing to their unique mechanical and functional properties, both amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys have attracted extensive research interest over the past decades. However, in spite of the tremendous efforts dedicated to both kinds of alloys, their engineering applications are still hindered today because some fundamental issues, such as low thermal stability and poor ductility, are yet to be solved. To overcome these issues, one recent strategy proposed is to combine both amorphous and nanocrystalline structures in a single alloy through the use of either an amorphous or a nanocrystalline alloy as a “template”. On the one hand, the derived amorphous–nanocrystalline alloys may inherit the unique properties from either the amorphous or the nanocrystalline “template”, such as outstanding magnetic properties, extraordinary wear/corrosion resistance, and superior hardness and strength. On the other hand, these amorphous–nanocrystalline alloys also exhibit enhanced thermal stability and ductility, which are difficult to achieve for either the amorphous or the nanocrystalline alloy template. In this review article, we would like to first discuss a number of experimental methods developed to fabricate amorphous–nanocrystalline alloys, including partial crystallization in amorphous precursors, grain boundary amorphization, and physical vapor deposition. After that, we will give an overview of the mechanical and functional properties of the amorphous–nanocrystalline alloys. Finally, we will have a discussion on the existing applications of the amorphous–nanocrystalline alloys in various areas such as renewable and green energy, catalysis, and surface protection.

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Amorphous–nanocrystalline alloys: fabrication, properties, and applications

Composition design for Fe-based soft magnetic amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys with high Fe content

Design of Fe-based nanocrystalline alloys with superior magnetization and manufacturability

Additive manufacturing of soft magnets for electrical machines—a review

Soft magnetic materials are key to the efficient operation of the next generation of power electronics and electrical machines (motors and generators). Many new materials have been introduced since Michael Faraday's discovery of magnetic induction, when iron was the only option. However, as wide bandgap semiconductor devices become more common in both power electronics and motor controllers, there is an urgent need to further improve soft magnetic materials. These improvements will be necessary to realize the full potential in efficiency, size, weight, and power of high-frequency power electronics and high-rotational speed electrical machines. Here we provide an introduction to the field of soft magnetic materials and their implementation in power electronics and electrical machines. Additionally, we review the most promising choices available today and describe emerging approaches to create even better soft magnetic materials.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/362/6413/eaao0195.full.pdf

Dale H. Huber

Papers

Soft magnetic materials for a sustainable and electrified world