Geometrical control of eddy currents in additively manufactured Fe-Si

Additive manufacturing has enabled the processing of high silicon electrical steels which have excellent soft magnetic properties. In bulk form, core losses as a result of eddy currents would be too large to allow their use in high-frequency electrical machines, therefore strategies are needed to reduce eddy currents. Additive manufacturing affords high part complexity and provides the opportunity for cross sectional patterns within the material to limit eddy current generation. This study investigates several designs, including a novel hexagonal pattern which is shown to have the lowest eddy current loss coefficient of 0.0005, less than 25% of the bulk material which has an eddy current loss coefficient of 0.0021. Heat treatment is shown to increase the eddy current losses, demonstrating that for high-frequency machines, it may be beneficial to use the material in the as-built state. Physical samples were compared to their intended geometries, showing there are defects in these complex cross sections causing increased eddy currents when compared to simulations, but that geometrical accuracy can be improved by alternative design methodology which experimentally experiences smaller losses. These novel cross sectional designs may be implemented into an electric machine that has a 3D magnetic flux pathway enabled by additive manufacturing, affording more flexibility for electrical engineers to design new motor architectures in the pursuit of higher power density machines.