Magnetic materials are used across modern industry to ensure durable, uninterrupted operation of many devices and systems. However, not all magnetic materials are equally effective under different operating conditions. The two main types of magnetic alloys — hard magnetic and soft magnetic — differ substantially in properties and applications.
Hard magnetic materials, also known as permanent magnet materials, are characterized by the ability to retain permanent magnetization after interaction with a magnetic field. They have high coercivity and low magnetic permeability. These materials are usually hard to demagnetize and have high hysteresis losses due to the large area of the hysteresis loop.
Hard magnetic alloys are widely used to make permanent magnets for various industries, including instrument engineering, medical equipment manufacturing, complex electrical systems, and much more.
Soft magnetic materials are easily magnetized under an external magnetic field and demagnetized after removal from it. They are characterized by low coercivity and high magnetic permeability. They have a small hysteresis loop area, which reduces hysteresis losses. As a rule, soft magnetic alloys have high resistivity, which reduces eddy current losses arising in these materials.
Soft magnetic materials are best suited for creating magnetic circuits in electrical machines and other devices where magnetic flux transfer is required.
Differences between hard magnetic and soft magnetic materials are determined by their magnetization characteristics, coercivity, and magnetic permeability. Hard magnetic alloys retain permanent magnetization and are widely used to make permanent magnets, while soft magnetic materials magnetize and demagnetize easily, making them an ideal choice for magnetic circuits in electrical devices and equipment.
If you want to learn more about magnetic materials and choose alloys best suited to your project requirements, contact us at +7 (812) 740-76-55 or leave a request on the website. Our specialists will answer your questions in detail and help select the right materials.
