J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2025, Vol. 206: 202-210.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2024.04.002

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Soft magnetism enhancement and eddy current suppression in bioinspired Iron‐based nanocrystalline soft magnetic composites with nacre‐like structure

Wangchang Lia,b,*, Wenbo Xianga,b, Yue Kangc, Ting Zouc, Xiao Hanc, Yao Yinga,b, Jing Yua,b, Jingwu Zhenga,b, Liang Qiaoa,b, Juan Lia,b, Shenglei Chea,b,*   

  1. aCollege of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China;
    bResearch Center of Magnetic and Electronic Materials, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China;
    cSystems Engineering Institute, Beijing, 100010, China
  • Received:2023-11-27 Revised:2024-03-20 Accepted:2024-04-01 Published:2025-01-20 Online:2025-01-20
  • Contact: *College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhe- jiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China. E-mail addresses: wcli@zjut.edu.cn (W. Li), cheshenglei@zjut.edu.cnss (S. Che)

Abstract: Bioinspired nacre-like structured high-density soft magnetic composites (SMCs) have been successfully constructed using flaky-Fe73.8Si13.5B8.7Cu1Nb3 powders in the supercooled liquid region (SCLR). These densely arranged particles with a consistent planar orientation significantly enhance the soft magnetic properties of SMCs, including high permeability and low magnetic losses. The internal structures of the composites and microstructure evolution of the flaky nanocrystalline particles during the hot-pressing process have been thoroughly studied. Moreover, systematic investigations into the effects of coatings and particle sizes on the maximum permeability and magnetic losses of the composites are conducted. The SMC prepared using the coated particles with a size of 0-100 µm exhibits a high maximum permeability of 2170 (at 1000 Hz) and low magnetic loss of 41.61 W kg-1 (at 1000 Hz and 1.0 T). The losses and permeability analysis reveal that the superior performance of these soft magnetic materials is attributed to their laminated structure, insulation coating, and the reduced planar demagnetizing factor. Compared to the traditional silicon steel, this novel SMCs exhibits high magnetic permeability and reduced magnetic losses at frequencies above 1000 Hz, which possess immense application potential within high-frequency electric machines.

Key words: Nacre-like structure, Nanocrystalline soft magnetic composite, High permeability, Low magnetic loss