Advanced soft magnetic materials for enabling higher efficiency of battery powered systems - MAGMA

Important results from the project

Various approaches facilitated by powder metallurgy were utilized in aim to improve the electromagnetic properties of new materials towards the levels increasingly demanded in power electronics. Property improvements were achieved for amorphous powder prepared into a nanocrystalline structure. Compaction of amorphous powders need more optimizations to be able to compete with the best available crystalline powder materials. New methods to manufacture α’-nitrid were tested with positive results.

Expected long term effects

In long term the development of new soft magnetic composites will provide competitive advantages for the supplier of the material in the rapidly growing sector of battery powered systems. The value chain partners benefit from the growing demand of their services. The end-users attain competitive advantages through ability to supply higher performing products providing smaller size and weight as well as higher energy efficiency. The need to generate electricity will be reduced.

Approach and implementation

New amorphous powder alloys were designed and manufactured with the newest available techniques. The most promising variants were manufactured into nanocrystalline composites for material evaluations and for prototypes tested in a DC/DC converter testbed used in power electronics. Also, a novel manufacturing concept for α’-nitride- Fe materials was tested and encouraging results were achieved.