The influence of material thickness on the magnetic properties of Co-Fe-V alloy

The influence of laminations thickness on the magnetic properties of Co-Fe-V alloy has been investigated. Samples of different gauge material were obtained from the manufacturers, a portion of each batch being cold rolled to thinner gauges in the laboratory. Tests were conducted under sine wave of flux conditions within the frequency and flux density ranges of 10 Hz-3 kHz and 0-2.35 T respectively. Thinner gauge material offer significant advantages in terms of iron-loss, ac permeability and core utilization. A change in core laminations thickness from 0.368 mm-0.066 mm reduced iron loss by 86 percent and core magnetizing current by 63 percent (2 kHz, 1.8 T), the optimum gauge for 400-Hz operation being 0.13 mm. Laboratory cold-rolling did not influence magnetic properties. Absolute values of iron-loss and permeability were dependent on both the annealing temperature and gauge. Iron-loss stress sensitivity characteristics were independent of laboratory cold rolling and gauge. A 400-Hz alternator magnetic core built from 0.155-mm gauge material is estimated to be 3 percent more efficient, 20 percent lighter, but 30 percent more expensive to assemble than a similar core built from 0.368-mm gauge material.