Maxwell Stress Tensor -> Force between magnets and perfect iron

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of the Maxwell Stress Tensor (MST) to calculate the force between a magnet and a perfect iron structure with an airgap. Participants explore the theoretical underpinnings and practical challenges of using the MST in this context, including issues related to material properties and integration methods.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a scenario involving a magnet and a perfect iron structure, expressing difficulty in calculating the force using the MST.
  • Another participant asserts that the derivation of the MST requires linear materials, suggesting that it may not be applicable to ferromagnets.
  • A later reply clarifies that the iron in question has ideal linear magnetic properties, which may allow for the MST's application under certain conditions.
  • One participant identifies a mistake in their application of the divergence theorem, indicating that they had incorrectly used the divergence of the field instead of the field itself in their calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the applicability of the MST to ferromagnetic materials, with some arguing it cannot be used while others suggest conditions under which it might be valid. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the correct application of the MST in this specific scenario.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations related to the assumptions of linearity in materials and the correct application of mathematical principles, particularly the divergence theorem, which may affect the calculations and outcomes discussed.

SunnyBoyNY
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(this is not a hw)

Assume you have a magnet of dimensions x_m, h_m, remanent flux density Br, and coercive field density Hc. The magnet is placed in a magnetic "C" structure (perfect iron) such that it is connected on one side but there is an airgap on the other side.

xxxxxxxx
xx... xx
xx...gg
xx...mm
xx...mm
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Stack length is 1 m for simplicity.

I know how to calculate gap flux density as a function of airgap length. I am struggling, however, with using the Maxwell Stress tensor to calculate the force between the magnet and the structure through the airgap.

This is what I tried:

<br /> Bm = Br / (1+Br*g(h_m*u0*Hc))<br />

<br /> \nabla\cdot\sigma_{xyz}= \frac{1}{\mu_{0}} \begin{pmatrix}<br /> \frac{\partial 0.5B_{x}^{2}}{\partial x} &amp; \frac{\partial B_{x}B_{y}}{\partial x} &amp; \frac{\partial B_{x}B_{z}}{\partial x}\\ <br /> <br /> \frac{\partial B_{y}B_{x}}{\partial y} &amp; \frac{\partial 0.5B_{y}^{2}}{\partial y} &amp; \frac{\partial B_{y}B_{z}}{\partial y}\\<br /> <br /> \frac{\partial B_{z}B_{x}}{\partial z} &amp; \frac{\partial B_{z}B_{y}}{\partial z}&amp; \frac{\partial 0.5B_{z}^{2}}{\partial z} \\ <br /> \end{pmatrix}<br /> <br />

care only about one direction, which simplifies the equation to 1/2u0 * dBm^2/dx.

Now integrate over volume:

<br /> F = \int_{V} \mathbf{f} \mathrm{d} V = \int_{V} (\nabla\cdot\sigma)\mathrm{d} V = \oint_{S} (\mathbf{f}\cdot\mathbf{n})\mathrm{d} A <br />

But the numbers consistently come out wrong - with respect to a FEA simulation. Do I use the MST incorrectly?

Thank you.
 
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The derivation of the MST requires a linear material (constant mu). Therefor, the MST cannot be applied to ferromagnets.
 
Meir Achuz said:
The derivation of the MST requires a linear material (constant mu). Therefor, the MST cannot be applied to ferromagnets.

Thank you. I forgot to mention that the iron has ideal (linear) magnetic properties such that:

<br /> B_{iron} = \mu_{r} \cdot \mu_{0} \cdot H_{iron}<br />

Also, the permanent magnet has a linear loading curve:

<br /> B_{mag} = B_{R} \cdot (1-H_{mag}/H_{c})<br />
 
Found the problem: I used the divergence theorem incorrectly.

Volume integral of field divergence is equal to the closed surface integral of the field itself, not its divergence.

<br /> F = \int_{V} \mathbf{f} \mathrm{d} V = \int_{V} (\nabla\cdot\sigma)\mathrm{d} V = \oint_{S} (\sigma\cdot\mathbf{n})\mathrm{d} A = \oint_{S} \sigma \cdot\mathrm{d} \vec{A}<br />
 

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