The Magnetic Properties of a Case-Hardened Steel and Their Effect on the Performance of an Electromagnetic Actuator

The reliability of performance predictions using complex flux analysis tools is to a large extent dependent on the accuracy of the magnetic properties of the flux carrying components. In this paper, a practical system for measuring the magnetic properties of ferrous components is described with particular reference to the composite behaviour of case-hardened low carbon steels. The results have been used to demonstrate the detrimental effect of case-hardening on the performance of a typical solenoid type actuator.