Magnetising a hard magnetic material

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Kenny Low
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    Hard Magnetic Material
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SUMMARY

Magnetizing hard magnetic materials, such as steel, using an alternating current (AC) source is ineffective due to the oscillating magnetic field produced by AC. The time-averaged magnetic field is zero, preventing any magnetization beyond the material's remanence. Additionally, the magnetization process in ferromagnetic materials is non-equilibrium and can take seconds to respond, making high-frequency AC sources particularly unsuitable for this purpose. Attempting this method poses significant risks.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of ferromagnetism and magnetic domains
  • Knowledge of AC electrical circuits and their effects on magnetic fields
  • Familiarity with magnetic remanence and hysteresis
  • Basic principles of electromagnetism
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of frequency on magnetization in ferromagnetic materials
  • Explore methods for magnetizing steel using direct current (DC) sources
  • Study the principles of magnetic hysteresis and its implications in material science
  • Investigate safe experimental setups for magnetizing materials in a controlled environment
USEFUL FOR

Material scientists, electrical engineers, and hobbyists interested in magnetism and safe experimentation with magnetic materials.

Kenny Low
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Is it possible to magnetize steel (hard magnetic material) with an ac source?
 
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I'm quite certain it can not. An AC current makes an oscillating B-field. The time-averaged value of the B-field is therefore, zero. Hence, no magnetization greater than the remanence can be achieved, and depending on the frequency (keep in mind that the magnetization of a ferromagnet is a highly non-equilibrium process and time constants for changes in magnetization can be of the order of seconds, even at normal temperatures) it could be significantly smaller.
 
This sounds like a very dangerous home-made experiment waiting to happen :biggrin:
 

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