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Research improves magnetic properties

A Powdermatrix product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 23, 2005

Cranfield University has helped Magnetic Applications investigate the significant parameters of its magnetic powder die pressing process.

Magnetic Applications is the only magnet manufacturer offering a bespoke service for magnetising fixtures to be designed and built in-house.

To improve magnetic performance of its components, the company needed research support which would enable the alignment of anisotropic NdFeB alloy powders when loading the powder into the tool die body.

The results are showing significant new business potential.

This SPARK was awarded to Cranfield University, which is one of Western Europe's largest academic centres for strategic and applied research, development and design and is at the forefront of working with UK industry.

A series of designed experiments were undertaken to investigate the significant parameters of the magnetic powder die pressing process.

These were undertaken with anisotropic powder, but based on Magnetic Applications' system which was formulated for isotropic powders.

Lubricant quantity, resin quantity and resin temperature and time effects were examined as individual variables.

A structured experimental design analysed the effects of these variables on the die pressing of the powder on the part density.

The levels of die pressure, resin quantity, resin temperature, coupling agent and time in die before pressing all had statistically significant effects on the density.

However, lubricant, pressing speed and time maintained at temperature did not.

The work showed that significant increases in density can be obtained during pressing that will lead to a direct improvement in magnetic performance.

There was also strong evidence that corrosion protection can be greatly increased with the right choice of additives.

These results are already of benefit to Magnetic Applications, which is improving performance from its current design, and as corrosion in bonded NdFeB is an issue in many environments, particularly in most automotive applications, should have a significant commercial advantage.

Already, two companies have expressed a significant interest in the properties offered by this technology.

One of these customers has a specific project with a potential sales value in excess of GBP 300,000 for 2006-07 rising to GBP 5 million over 3 years.

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