Project:

Exploitation of Soft Magnetic Composites for Electrical Machines

From January 1999 to March 2001
Project Leader(s): Prof. Alan Jack
Staff: Prof. J. Burdess, Prof. J.T. Evans
Contact: alan.jack@ncl.ac.uk
Sponsors: EPSRC (GR/M41384)

This project is concerned with learning how best to use the unique advantages offered to electrical machines by armature cores constructed from soft magnetic composites (SMC), ie insulated iron powder compacts. This project follows an earlier award which has demonstrated gains in performance of more than 50%, combined with reduced material, reduced dimensions and strong indications of lower costs for permanent magnet servo motors. The motors to be tested in the later stages of this first phase promise further improvement. Funding for the first stage was for a limited period to allow proof of viability. This has amply been demonstrated. The proposed project seeks to complete the investigation of the underlying science including new higher temperature insulation systems, warm compaction, fatigue, thermal cycle life, powder flow during compaction or co-compaction with windings (and hence punch and die design) and optimal geometries for machines using SMC.

Staff

Professor Alan Jack
Emeritus Professor

Professor Barrie Mecrow
Professor of Electrical Power