Characterization of ferrite materials used as a core for multi-phase coupled inductors

In the process of design inductors with ferrite cores, one of important steps is the selection of proper core material. This work presents first steps in the process of development innovative multi-phase coupled inductor. Component will be used in MHz frequency region and it is intended to be used in the compact DC/DC converters. In first iteration, three types of NiZn materials have been selected as core materials for multi-phase coupled inductors. Results and analysis of ferrite core contribution to inductance frequency characteristic and Q-factor have been analyzed. SEM structural analysis and stress performance of ferrites are presented and analyzed in this work as additional parameter in process of selection. As result of this research, two ferrite materials are selected to be used as inductor cores in further development of component.