Powder Core and Powdered Iron Core Comparison

Magnetics' Kool Mu material in particular offers significantly lower core losses lower than powdered iron (Figure 4), near zero magnetostriction, and no thermal aging. 

Alloy powder cores offer similar DC bias characteristics when compared to powdered iron (pure Fe composition), see Figure 5. In addition to withstanding a DC bias, switching regulator inductors see some AC current, typically at 10 kHz to 300 kHz. This AC current produces a high frequency magnetic field, which creates core losses and increases core temperature. This effect is lessened with Kool Mu, making inductors more efficient and cooler.

Advantages of Powder Cores compared with Powdered Iron are:

• Core Losses: Powder cores offers lower core losses than powdered iron (Figure 4).
• Near Zero Magnetostriction: Kool Mu is ideal for eliminating audible frequency noise in filter inductors.
• No Thermal Aging: Magnetics' powder core materials are manufactured without the use of organic binders, so there is no thermal aging. All coated Kool Mu and XFlux toroids are rated for 200°C continuous operation. Uncoated geometries can theoretically be used up to the Curie temperature, which is 500°C for Kool Mu and 700°C for XFLUX.