We have a product focus this month, turning the spotlight on a material that’s a key component in a wide range of applications. Famed for its unique magnetic properties, along with many other valuable attributes, Hiperco 50 and 50A* is the performance product of choice for a lot of our customers in the aerospace, medical and electrical component manufacturing sectors. Let’s take a quick look at the characteristics of this versatile iron-cobalt-vanadium alloy and see what’s behind its appeal.

Firstly, at around 2.2 Tesla, Hiperco 50 and 50A has the highest magnetic saturation induction of any commercially available soft magnetic alloy, which means it can manage high magnetic flux densities more efficiently. And with a low coercivity of less than 2 Oersteds it can also be magnetised and demagnetised very quickly, so it’s ideal for applications that require rapid changes between magnetic states.

In addition, the material displays a narrow hysteresis loop, which reduces energy loss during the magnetisation and demagnetisation cycles – especially important for the efficient operation of many electrical devices. At the same time, high electrical resistivity helps to reduce eddy current loss to cut overall core losses.

With a Curie temperature of around 950°C, the material retains its magnetic properties at high temperatures to deliver greater magnetic stability and operational reliability than other materials.

Hiperco 50 and 50A displays excellent permeability characteristics too. Its high initial permeability allows it to respond well to weak magnetic fields, while a high maximum permeability value makes it a good choice for any application requiring efficient magnetisation. It also works well as a flux concentrator in electromagnetic pole pieces, for example to focus beams for radiation therapy in medical radiology applications.

It’s an ideal component in various types of motors, transformers and generators because it’s able to achieve maximum torque density with low core losses, while also potentially reducing the size of the motor. On top of this, Hiperco 50 and 50A offers low magnetostriction, (the change in dimensions when a material is magnetised), which is beneficial in reducing noise and mechanical deformation.

Another interesting application for this highly adaptable material is in helping to improve the sound quality of speakers, particularly the modern generation of micro-speakers. Manufacturers have to optimise the use of speaker space and performance by choosing the best possible components – and this is where Hiperco 50 and 50A can make a big difference. The material helps to boost sound pressure levels and improve battery life while reducing the size of the transducer by up to 30%.

We offer Hiperco 50 and 50A in many formats including sheet, plate, bar, wire, tube and pipe. Orders can be machined and finished to customer requirements in our on-site workshop before dispatch. Please get in touch with any questions or to discuss how Hiperco 50 and 50A could help your operations.

*There are minor chemical differences between Hiperco 50 and 50A, contact us to find out more