materials

Ferrite

Ferrites (iron oxides) are known for their high rate of electrical resistance and high magnetic permeability, and they are used in many applications ranging from medical devices to transmission antennae.

2.5

Relative Cost of Material

5.0

Machining Degree of Difficulty

Summary

Ferrites, or Iron Oxide compounds, are ceramic-like materials best known for their electrical resistivity and magnetic permeability. These characteristics allow for ferrite components to be created that can prevent eddy currents or switch magnetism with minimal energy loss, or to effectively concentrate a magnetic field for data transmission via mediums such as radio waves. As an iron-based ceramic, there are a number of different grades and types of ferrite, with low coercivity ferrite being known as “soft” ferrite, and high coercivity known as “hard” ferrite. Outside of pure ferrite, manganese-zinc and nickel-zinc ferrites are commonly used in component manufacture as well.

As an expert in the machining of technical ceramics, Mindrum Precision has extensive experience with component manufacture from all different types of ferrites, down to the micro scale. Click here for more information or to get a quote on any ferrite components that you need made.

Applications

Ferrite components are commonly used in a variety of settings, including everything from electronic applications and telecommunication, to pot cores and switching power supplies, to inductive sensor applications in the medical industry. Ferrite’s machinable nature allows for exacting tolerance requirements, so it is a frequent choice for engineers and designers looking for ferrite’s unique material characteristics.

Properties

Material PropertyFerrite
Density (g/cm^3)4.8
Hardness (Knoop)650
Tensile Strength (MPa)48
Modulus of Elasticity (GPa)129
Compressive Strength (MPa)434
Poisson's Ratio0.24
Volume Resistivity (ohm-cm @25°C)1E2 - 1E3
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (1 x 10^-6/°C)10.5
Thermal Conductivity (W/m K)3.5-4.3
Specific Heat (J/kg*K)800
*Note: Properties vary by manufacturer. The above information should be used for general reference purposes only.

related Materials

  • Steel – An extremely diverse and versatile metal that is generally low-cost and easily machinable
  • A286 – A high hardness, corrosion resistance, and tensile strength iron-based metal
  • Zirconia – A ceramic material frequently paired with Ferrite in some technical applications

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