Sumitomo Electric expands powder magnetic core materials for high-performance motors
March 5, 2025
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., headquartered in Osaka, Japan, has expanded its lineup of powder magnetic cores for motors and has added new material data to the electromagnetic field analysis software JMAG, developed by JSOL Corporation, Tokyo, Japan.
Powder magnetic cores are made by forming and heat-treating iron powder covered with a nano-order insulation film. They exhibit excellent soft magnetic properties while having a high degree of freedom in three-dimensional shape. Thanks to these properties, the use of this material in higher-performance motors and reactors for boost converters has been increasing in recent years, and it is expected to become more widespread in the future.
Among them, the FMCM-HB series of powder magnetic core materials for motors has been available in three grades: HB1 (standard grade), HB2 (low-loss grade), and HB3 (high permeability grade). To meet a wider variety of motor requirements, the company has expanded the lineup to include three grades: HB4 (low-loss grade), HB5 (cost-effective grade), and HB6 (ultra-low-loss grade). In addition, this material data has been registered in version 24.0, the new version of the electromagnetic analysis software JMAG.
Features of the New Motor Core Material:
HB4 (low-loss grade)
This material is an improved version of the conventional low-loss grade (HB2), featuring significantly enhanced machinability. It serves as an entry-level model for customers to evaluate the powder magnetic core using machined prototypes.
HB5 (cost-effective grade)
By reducing the magnetic properties to the desired level, this material becomes more cost-effective.
HB6 (ultra-low-loss grade)
This is the highest grade that combines the direct current (DC) magnetisation and iron loss features of the powder magnetic core to a high standard to enable the creation of higher-performance motors. Compared to the conventional low-loss grade (HB2), the permeability has been improved without compromising magnetic flux density, and iron loss has been reduced by approximately 15 to 20%.
To facilitate the design process for its customers using its powder magnetic cores, the company has registered material data into JMAG. The new version, Ver. 24.0, released in January 2025, includes the following materials:
- Materials for motors (frequency: up to 2 kHz): HB1, HB2, HB3, HB4, HB5, HB6
- Materials for medium frequencies such as solenoids (frequency range: 2–10 kHz): NM1, NM2
- Materials for reactors (frequency: 10 kHz or higher): HF1, HF3, HX1
