Soft magnetic alloy and method for producing soft magnetic alloy
10294549 ยท 2019-05-21
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
C22C38/004
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
C22C30/00
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
C22C38/12
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
International classification
C22C30/00
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
C22C38/12
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
Abstract
A soft magnetic alloy is provided that consists essentially of 47 weight percentCo50 weight percent, 1 weight percentV3 weight percent, 0 weight percentNi0.2 weight percent, 0.08 weight percentNb0.12 weight percent, 0 weight percentC0.005 weight percent, 0 weight percentMn0.1 weight percent, 0 weight percentSi0.1 weight percent, remainder Fe.
Claims
1. A soft magnetic alloy consisting of 47 weight percentCo50 weight percent, 1 weight percentV3 weight percent, 0 weight percentNi0.2 weight percent, 0.08 weight percentNb0.12 weight percent, 0 weight percentC0.007 weight percent, 0 weight percentMn0.1 weight percent, 0 weight percentSi0.1 weight percent, up to 0.5 weight percent impurities selected from the group consisting of one or more of Cr, Cu, Mo, Al, S, Ti, Ce, B, N, Mg, Ca, P and mixtures thereof, remainder Fe, wherein the soft magnetic alloy has a yield strength (0.2% strain) of between 200 MPa and 450 MPa in an annealed state, wherein the soft magnetic alloy has a resistivity of at least 0.4 m, or an induction B(8 A/cm) of at least 2.12 T, or both, and wherein in an annealed state, the soft magnetic alloy comprises a yield strength (0.2% strain) that lies within 10% of a linear function of yield strength (0.2% strain) against annealing temperature at a given annealing time over an annealing temperature range of 730 C. to 900 C.
2. The soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1, wherein the alloy has a nickel content such that 0 weight percent<Ni0.2 weight percent.
3. The soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1, wherein the alloy has a manganese content such that 0 weight percent<Mn0.07 weight percent.
4. The soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1, wherein the alloy has a silicon content of 0 weight percent<Si0.07 weight percent.
5. The soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1, wherein the soft magnetic alloy has a yield strength (0.2% strain) that is a linear function of annealing temperature over an annealing temperature range of 740 C. to 865 C.
6. The soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1, wherein the soft magnetic alloy has a resistivity of at least 0.4 m.
7. The soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1, wherein the soft magnetic alloy has an induction B(8 A/cm) of at least 2.12 T.
8. The soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1, wherein the soft magnetic alloy has an induction B(8 A/cm) of at least 2.12 T and a yield strength of at least 370 MPa.
9. The soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1, wherein after annealing at a temperature in the range of 720 C. to 900 C., the soft magnetic alloy has a yield strength in the range of 200 MPa and 450 MPa, and a power loss density at 2 T and 400 Hz of less than 90 W/kg.
10. The soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1, wherein the yield strength of the soft magnetic alloy is adjustable over a range of at least 130 MPa after having been annealed at 750 C. or at 871 C.
11. A stator for an electric motor, comprising the soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1.
12. A rotor for an electric motor, comprising the soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1.
13. An electric motor comprising a stator and rotor, each comprising a soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1.
14. A method for manufacturing a rotor for an electric motor comprising providing the soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1 and annealing at a temperature of 730 to 790 C.
15. A method for manufacturing a stator for an electric motor comprising providing the soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1 and annealing at a temperature of 800 C. to 880 C.
16. The soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1, wherein the alloy has a carbon content such that 0 weight percentC<0.005 weight percent.
17. The soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1, wherein the alloy has a carbon content such that 0 weight percent<C0.005 weight percent.
18. The soft magnetic alloy according to claim 17, wherein the alloy has a carbon content such that 0 weight percent<C<0.003 weight percent.
19. The soft magnetic alloy according to claim 1, wherein oxygen is present as an impurity in an amount up to 0.009 weight percent.
20. A method for manufacturing a soft magnetic alloy, comprising providing a melt consisting of 47 weight percentCo50 weight percent, 1 weight percentV3 weight percent, 0 weight percentNi0.2 weight percent, 0.08 weight percentNb0.12 weight percent, 0 weight percentC0.007 weight percent, 0 weight percentMn0.1 weight percent, 0 weight percentSi0.1 weight percent, up to 0.5 weight percent impurities selected from the group consisting of one or more of Cr, Cu, Mo, Al, S, Ti, Ce, B, N, Mg, Ca, P and mixtures thereof, remainder Fe; cooling and solidifying the melt and forming a blank; hot rolling the blank followed by cold rolling the blank, and subsequently annealing at least a portion of the blank at a temperature in the range of 730 C. to 880 C. for a time sufficient to obtain a soft magnetic alloy having a yield strength (0.2% strain) of between 200 MPa and 450 MPa in an annealed state, either a resistivity of at least 0.4 m, or an induction B(8 A/cm) of at least 2.12 T, or both, and wherein in an annealed state, the soft magnetic alloy comprises a yield strength (0.2% strain) that lies within 10% of a linear function of yield strength (0.2% strain) against annealing temperature at a given annealing time over an annealing temperature range of 730 C. to 900 C.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein at least a portion of the blank is annealed at a temperature in the range of 740 C. to 865 C.
22. The method according to claim 20, wherein at least a portion of the blank is annealed at a temperature in the range of 730 C. to 790 C. or in the range of 800 C. to 880 C.
23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the hot rolling of the blank produces a thickness reduction in the blank of 90%.
24. The method according to claim 20, wherein the hot rolling of the blank includes rolling at a temperature in the range of 1100 C. to 1300 C.
25. The method according to claim 20, further comprising, after hot rolling, cooling the blank to a temperature of above 730 C. and then quenching to room temperature, or cooling the blank and reheating to a temperature above 730 C., and then quenching to room temperature.
26. The method according to claim 20, further comprising pickling the blank before cold rolling.
27. The method according to claim 20, wherein the cold rolling of the blank produces a thickness reduction in the blank of 90%.
28. The method according to claim 20, wherein after cold rolling, the blank has a thickness in the range of 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm.
29. A method for manufacturing a semi-finished part comprising forming a blank according to the method according to claim 20 and separating a portion of the blank to produce a semi-finished part.
30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising assembling a plurality of semi-finished parts manufactured by the method according to claim 28 and forming a laminated soft magnetic article.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(1) Specific examples and embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and tables.
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(5) Nb-content for sample alloys with max. 50 ppm carbon.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
(24) The various embodiments disclosed herein can be more clearly understood with reference to the specific examples and the information contained in the Tables disclosed herein, wherein:
(25) Table 1 illustrates comparison data for Hiperco 50 and VACODUR 50.
(26) Table 2 illustrates magnetic and mechanical properties of the comparison alloys of table 1 after different annealing treatments.
(27) Table 3 illustrates the composition, magnetic and mechanical properties of the sample alloys investigated.
(28) Table 4 illustrates the compositions of the alloys used in the embodiment illustrated in
(29) Table 5 illustrates values of the yield strength illustrated in the graph of
(30) A soft magnetic alloy is provided that consists essentially of 47 weight percentCo50 weight percent, 1 weight percent V3 weight percent, 0 weight percentNi0.2 weight percent, 0.08 weight percentNb0.12 weight percent, 0 weight percentC0.005 weight percent, 0 weight percentMn0.1 weight percent, 0 weight percentSi0.1 weight percent, remainder Fe.
(31) The alloy may be fabricated by providing a melt consisting essentially of 47 weight percentCo50 weight percent, 1 weight percentV3 weight percent, 0 weight percentNi0.2 weight percent, 0.08 weight percentNb0.12 weight percent, 0 weight percentC0.005 weight percent, 0 weight percentMn0.1 weight percent, 0 weight percentSi0.1 weight percent, remainder Fe, cooling and solidifying the melt and forming a blank. The blank is then hot rolled, for example at 1200 C., cooled and quenched from a temperature above 730 C. to room temperature. The blank is then cold rolled at room temperature to a final thickness of 0.35 mm, for example. Subsequently at least a portion of the blank is annealed at a temperature in the range of 730 C. to 880 C. to form a semi-finished product.
(32) The annealing temperature is chosen so that it lies between the recrystallization temperature of around 720 C. and the phase transformation from the alpha, , phase to the gamma, , phase at around 885 C. The annealing temperature is selected within this range so that the semi-finished product has the desired mechanical properties, in particular, the desired yield strength (0.2% strain), Rp.sub.0.2, in combination with the desired magnetic properties, in particular, losses.
(33) It is observed that a combination of a niobium content with the range of 0.08 to 0.12 weight percent and a carbon content of less than 0.005 weight percent, or preferably less than 0.003 weight percent, provides a soft magnetic alloy with a yield strength that can be adjusted as desired over a range of 200 MPa to 450 C. by appropriate selection of the annealing temperature. At the same time, good soft magnetic properties, in particular low losses, suitable for soft magnetic parts of rotating electrical machines can be obtained.
(34) The yield strength of soft magnetic alloys having a niobium content within the range of 0.08 to 0.12 weight percent and a carbon content of less than 0.005 weight percent, or preferably less than 0.003 weight percent can be adjusted over a wider range that that achievable with the comparison composition of the reference alloys.
(35) In a further embodiment, the yield strength is linearly dependent on the annealing temperature. This behaviour is not displayed by the comparison compositions of the reference alloys.
(36) Usefully, the yield strength and the magnetic properties can be adjusted so that the same composition can be used for both the rotor and the stator of an electrical machine by annealing the parts for the rotor and for the stator at different annealing temperatures. For example, parts for a rotor may be annealed at 750 C. and have a higher yield strength than parts for the stator which are annealed at 870 C. In this example, the stator has clearly better magnetic properties than the rotor.
(37) In a first set of embodiments, a plurality of soft magnetic alloys with a carbon content of 50 ppm maximum and differing niobium contents was fabricated.
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(40) The magnetic properties of these sample alloys are illustrated in
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(43) As is illustrated in
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(45) In a second set of embodiments, the effect of the carbon content on the mechanical and magnetic properties of alloys with a niobium content in the range of 0.09 to 0.11 weight percent is investigated.
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(47) The samples of the second set of embodiments were annealed at the five different temperatures, 750 C., 780 C., 820 C., 850 C. and 871 C., used for the first set of embodiments.
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(50) Magnetic properties measured for samples of this second set of embodiments are illustrated in
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(53) In a third set of embodiments, the magnetic properties of an alloy comprising 0.09 to 0.11 weight percent niobium and a maximum of 50 ppm of carbon are compared with two reference samples commercially available under the names VACODUR 50 and HIPERCO 50. Table 1 illustrates the comparison data for the comparison samples. Table 2 illustrates magnetic and mechanical properties of the comparison alloy Hiperco 50 of Table 1 and an alloy according to the invention after different annealing treatments.
(54) The magnetic properties are illustrated in graphs as a dependence of the yield strength.
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(62) Table 3 summarizes the composition, annealing conditions, magnetic properties and mechanical properties of the sample alloys produced and investigated.
(63) In a third set of embodiments, the development of the microstructure in an alloy according to the invention was investigated. The sample 93/8603 is according to the invention and sample 93/8605 has a composition similar to the commercial Hiperco 50 alloy and is a comparison alloy.
(64) The mechanical properties, magnetic properties and the measured grain size of these two alloys after annealing treatments at different temperatures are summarised in Table 2.
(65) After annealing at 750 C., sample 1 has a high yield strength of 474 MPa and a coercive field strength of 1.9 A/cm whereas the Hiperco-like comparison alloy has yield strength of 422 MPa and a coercive field strength of 1.17 A/cm. The grain size of 7 to 10 pm of sample 1 is fine and not completely re-crystallized whereas the Hiperco-like comparison alloy is completely re-crystallized and has slightly larger grains.
(66) For a higher annealing temperature of 750 C., both alloys are completely re-crystallised and the mechanical and magnetic properties of the two samples are similar.
(67) After annealing at 820 C., sample 1 has a lower yield strength but better magnetic values than the Hiperco-like comparison sample.
(68) For an annealing temperature of 850 C., the mechanical and magnetic properties of both samples are similar.
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(70) Sample 1 has a relatively homogenous microstructure with grains having average size of 27 to 30 m. The Hiperco-like comparison alloy has some isolated huge grains and a more inhomogeneous microstructure is observed. If the large grains are ignored, the average grain sizes around 18 to 22 m.
(71) In a fourth set of embodiments, a possible effect of the carbon content on the oxygen content was investigated.
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(73) To provide a light desoxidation effect, 0.05 weight percent manganese and 0.05 weight percent silicon were added to some of the alloys. However, when these elements were omitted, an increase in the oxygen content was not observed. However, no disadvantageous effect on the magnetic properties was observed.
(74) In a fifth set of embodiments, the effect of the yield strength as a function of temperature was investigated for a sample having a composition according to the invention and a comparison Hiperco-like sample.
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(76) The linear form of the decrease in yield strength with increasing temperature is useful in that any variation in the annealing temperature within the furnace during production of the semi-finished parts leads to predictable rather unpredictable results. Therefore, variations in temperature can be compensated.
(77) Table 4 illustrates the compositions of the alloys used in the embodiment illustrated in
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(82) The invention having been described herein with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments are intended to illustrate, not limit, the scope of the appended claims.
(83) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 T t H, B(8 A/cm) P.sub.Fe(2T; 400 Hz) Rp.sub.0.2 Material C. h A/cm T W/kg MPa Hiperco 50 750 3 1.13 2.126 86 429 788 3 1.02 2.150 85 411 820 4 0.93 2.150 80 387 871 2 0.46 2.197 67 188 VACODUR 50 750 3 1.628 2.050 90 468 820 3 0.998 2.108 75 383
(84) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 93/8603: VACODUR 49 93/8605: like Hiperco 50 0.11% Nb, 23 ppm C 0.06% Nb, 100 ppm C B(3 Grain B(3 Grain an- Rp.sub.0.2 Hc A/cm) Size Rp.sub.0.2 Hc A/cm) size neal MPa A/cm T m MPa A/cm T m 2 h 474 1.90 1.520 7-10 422 1.17 1.935 9-12 730 C. 3 h 417 1.19 1.935 8-16 410 1.02 1.989 10-12.5 750 C. 4 h 318 0.66 2.018 366 0.71 1.973 820 C. 4 h 273 0.54 2.025 27-30 282 0.61 2.024 18-22.sup. 850 C.
(85) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 P2; P2; Co V Ni Nb C an- Hc B3 B8 B80 50 400 E Rp02 Rm A Rp02 Batch % % % % % neal A/cm T T T W/kg W/kg GPa Mpa MPa % HV10 MPa 9308285B 49.25 1.83 0.06 0.06 0.0110 3 h 0.94 1.982 2.134 2.290 74.3 217 361 822 10.3 59 750 C. 2 h 0.65 2.032 2.167 2.292 65.6 211 301 687 8.5 871 C. 9308286B 48.55 1.83 0.05 0.06 0.0110 3 h 0.94 1.983 2.140 2.285 75.7 216 372 786 9.2 64 750 C. 2 h 0.61 2.054 2.184 2.289 68.0 221 308 673 8.1 871 C. 9308287B 48.55 1.84 0.06 0.06 0.0100 3 h 0.95 1.961 2.128 2.285 76.7 220 370 778 9.1 71 750 C. 2 h 0.62 2.056 2.188 2.289 66.6 217 299 674 8.1 871 C. 9308288B 49.35 1.82 0.04 0.06 0.0120 3 h 1.09 1.951 2.116 2.281 79.8 223 385 729 7.9 43 750 C. 2 h 0.70 2.033 2.166 2.284 67.2 213 328 648 7.2 871 C. 9308604 48.85 1.87 0.04 0.06 0.0038 3 h 0.81 2.008 2.155 2.279 4.11 69.2 230 384 839 10.5 224 144 750 C. 2 h 0.37 2.068 2.192 2.280 2.27 55.4 187 240 486 5.9 179 871 C. 9308605 48.85 1.89 0.04 0.06 0.0100 3 h 1.02 1.989 2.140 2.280 5.07 78.1 245 410 809 9.0 233 124 750 C. 2 h 0.64 2.045 2.178 2.281 3.57 67.3 179 286 623 7.0 200 871 C. 9308601 48.65 1.89 0.04 0.09 0.0180 3 h 1.41 1.918 2.101 2.273 6.87 96.1 215 441 857 9.4 233 108 750 C. 2 h 1.02 2.005 2.152 2.280 5.16 82.0 197 333 613 5.8 224 871 C. 9308489 48.55 1.84 0.01 0.10 0.0100 3 h 1.10 1.982 2.140 2.284 5.41 83.5 267 433 729 7.0 128 750 C. 2 h 0.59 2.039 2.180 2.290 3.51 68.9 225 304 644 7.2 871 C. 9308490 48.50 1.84 0.01 0.10 0.0130 3 h 1.47 1.914 2.098 2.278 7.91 102.5 238 445 804 8.4 118 750 C. 2 h 0.68 2.046 2.180 2.288 3.99 70.0 213 327 685 7.4 871 C. 9308491 48.55 1.84 0.01 0.10 0.0190 3 h 1.69 1.847 2.073 2.277 6.96 94.4 249 475 920 10.1 75 750 C. 2 h 1.25 1.967 2.129 2.282 6.11 88.4 225 401 887 10.6 871 C. 9308603 48.70 1.87 0.04 0.11 0.0023 3 h 1.19 1.935 2.118 2.273 5.65 78.2 216 417 810 9.2 232 145 750 C. 2 h 0.50 2.026 2.171 2.279 2.81 55.4 181 273 592 7.3 186 871 C. 9308599 48.65 1.87 0.05 0.13 0.0030 3 h 1.30 1.883 2.096 2.266 6.05 82.0 226 444 825 8.9 227 166 750 C. 2 h 0.56 1.997 2.156 2.277 3.00 59.1 199 278 588 7.1 194 871 C. 9308606 48.70 1.79 0.04 0.26 0.0031 3 h 2.00 1.469 1.965 2.236 10.24 113.8 210 491 939 9.9 260 126 750 C. 2 h 1.27 1.902 2.098 2.251 5.91 80.4 207 365 721 7.6 221 871 C. 9308607 48.90 1.87 0.04 0.32 0.0100 3 h 1.75 1.656 2.021 2.248 8.62 107.0 209 473 935 10.2 252 107 750 C. 2 h 1.39 1.871 2.088 2.254 6.31 85.4 244 366 731 7.7 216 871 C. Composition in weight percent, B3 = B(3 A/cm); B8 = B(8 A/cm); B80 = B(80 A/cm), with air flow correction P2; 50 = P(2.0 T; 50 Hz); P2; 400 = P(2.0 T; 400 Hz); tape thickness 0.35 mm E = E-Modulus; Rp02 = yield strength; Rm = ultimate tensile strength; A = elongation to fracture; HV10 = Vickers hardness ARp0.2 = Rp0.2 (3 h 750 C.) - Rp0.2 (2 h 871 C.)
(86) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Batch Fe Co V Nb C 37602391-1 Rest 48.55 1.80 0.09 <0.0030 Hiperco 50 Rest 48.55 1.87 0.05 0.0070
(87) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Batch d/mm T/ C. Rp0.2|MPa 37602391-1 0.35 740 392 780 337 820 294 865 247 Hiperco 50 0.35 740 442 780 415 820 236 865 242