Soft Magnetic Alloy

Soft magnetic alloys are a class of ferromagnetic materials characterized by high magnetic permeability and low coercivity. The main characteristic of these alloys is that they are easily magnetized under the influence of an external magnetic field, and when the external magnetic field is removed, they retain very little residual magnetism and demagnetize quickly.
This "softness" refers to their "gentle" and "easily changeable" response to changes in the magnetic field, not the mechanical hardness or softness of the material itself. The core function of soft magnetic alloys is to act as conductors of magnetic flux, effectively transmitting, concentrating, and distributing magnetic field energy while minimizing energy loss.
Core Performance Indicators and Functions
The performance of soft magnetic alloys is determined by several key indicators:
High Magnetic Permeability: This is the most important characteristic of soft magnetic materials. It represents the material's ability to guide magnetic field lines. High magnetic permeability means that a high magnetic induction can be achieved with a relatively weak magnetic field, making magnetic circuit design more compact and efficient.
Low Coercivity: This refers to the strength of the reverse magnetic field required to reduce the magnetic induction to zero after the material has been magnetized to saturation. Low coercivity ensures that the material demagnetizes quickly and completely under alternating magnetic fields, which is crucial for achieving low hysteresis loss.
Low Loss: When operating under alternating magnetic fields, soft magnetic alloys generate hysteresis loss and eddy current loss (related to resistivity and material thickness). High-quality soft magnetic materials minimize total loss by increasing resistivity or using thin-sheet structures, thereby reducing heat generation and improving energy conversion efficiency.