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SOFT MAGNETIC
FERRITIC
STAINLESS
STEELS
Magnetic stainless steels must
function flawlessly in a wide variety of
corrosive environments while retaining
the right balance of essential properties
such as saturation induction,
MAGNETIC MATERIALS
permeability, coercive force, and • Hard magnetic materials retain a large amount
electrical resistivity. of residual magnetism after exposure to a strong
magnetic field. These materials typically have co- Fig. 1 —
ercive force values of several hundred to several Carpenter’s soft
Daniel A. DeAntonio* thousand oersteds, and are considered to be per- magnetic,
Carpenter Technology Corp. manent magnets. The coercive force is a measure ferritic stainless
Reading, Pennsylvania of the magnetizing force required to reduce the steels have been
used in
magnetic induction to zero after the material has
components
been magnetized. such as this

S
oft magnetic ferritic stainless steels are crit- • Soft magnetic materials become magnetized Siemens VDO
ical to the performance of many electro- by relatively low-strength magnetic fields. Fur- Deka fuel
mechanical devices, for which they must thermore, when the applied field is removed, injector.
provide optimized magnetic properties to they return to a state of relatively low residual
enable proper output and response time. A sam- magnetism. Soft magnetic materials typically ex-
pling of such devices in the automobile includes hibit coercive force values of only five oersteds
fuel injectors, fuel pumps, and solenoids for anti- to as low as 0.002 oersteds. Soft magnetic func-
lock braking systems. They are also important for tioning is essential in any device that involves
industrial solenoids and pumps that control the changing electromagnetic induction, such as so-
flow of corrosive fluids; many types of cores, ar- lenoids, relays, motors, generators, and trans-
matures, and relays; and valves that regulate the formers.
flow of corrosive chemicals (Fig. 1).
This article discusses the properties of soft mag- function with as little input energy as possible. The
netic ferritic stainless steels, the function of various higher the magnetic saturation or induced field, the
alloying elements, and the three basic families of more force can be applied, and the greater the me-
soft magnetic alloys. It concludes with a descrip- chanical efficiency of the control component. Like-
tion of Carpenter’s Chrome Core ferritic stainless wise, high magnetic saturation enables the design of
steels, including composition, magnetic properties, smaller and lighter components, without any loss in
machinability, and corrosion resistance. performance.
• Permeability: High permeability means that less
Magnetic properties magnetizing force and a smaller applied field de-
• Saturation induction or magnetization: This is the liver the required force. High permeability induces
force that can be applied via the magnetic core to high magnetism, allowing the design of smaller,
overcome mechanical forces, such as those applied cheaper components.
by springs. High magnetic saturation allows de- • Coercive force: This force permits rapid demag-
velopment of a strong magnetic field, enabling con- netization, essential for quickly opening and closing
trol devices such as solenoids and fuel injectors to devices such as valves and injectors. The lower the
*Member of ASM International force required to open and close without “sticking,”
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the better. Low coercive force, for example, can permit loys in contact with fuels containing ethanol or
design of a smaller spring to allow a fuel injector to methanol. These fuels sometimes contain corrosive
operate in harmony with a higher-speed cylinder. contaminants that can cause fuel injectors to mal-
• Electrical resistivity: High electrical resistivity is function. For example, in a device as small as a fuel
beneficial because it impedes the formation of wasteful injector, no size change or material loss from cor-
eddy currents in AC or rapidly pulsed DC applica- rosion can be tolerated.
tions. High resistivity means that less power is needed Good corrosion resistance is also essential for
to drive the control device. In addition, low eddy cur- many aqueous environments, especially where
rent loss results in a more responsive device. chlorides may cause attack in the crevices of sole-
noid valves. It is also an important consideration
Corrosion resistance for products that must be stored in mildly corro-
High resistance to corrosion is essential for al- sive environments until placed in service.

Chromium for corrosion resistance Additives for fabricability

Choice of the best alloy for an application may de-
The first soft magnetic materials were basically iron, which did pend largely on how the intended component is to
not provide much corrosion resistance. As applications in hostile be machined and/or welded. Although some com-
environments increased, it became necessary to develop ma- ponents can be produced by cold or warm heading,
terials that could survive for reasonable periods of time. Although some machining is involved in almost all parts. Im-
coatings could provide protection in some cases, they do not ad- portant properties include high metal-removal rates,
here well in many hostile environments, resulting in magnetic air surface finish, tool wear, and weldability.
gaps and subsequent part failure. Free-machining additives include sulfur, sele-
To provide inherent corrosion resistance, alloying elements had nium, tellurium, lead, bismuth, phosphorus, and
to be added, yet tradeoffs also had to be made to retain essential certain “soft oxides.” Other factors that influence
magnetic properties. The most important element for corrosion machinability include grain size, hardness, and in-
resistance is chromium, which plays a dominant role in the phys- terstitial elements.
ical properties of ferritic stainless steels. Tests in boiling corrosive • Sulfur additions to enhance machinability may
water (low pH solution with chlorides) show increasing resist- impair magnetic performance, corrosion resistance,
ance with increasing chromium content. headability, and weldability. Therefore, the level
However, tests also indicate that 8% chromium provides ade- of sulfur must be carefully controlled. For example,
quate corrosion resistance, while still permitting high saturation sulfur content has been increased in several of the
magnetization. Furthermore, chromium levels above 8% adversely newer, controlled-chemistry soft magnetic ferritic
affect this important magnetic property (Fig. 2). stainless steels. These alloys are designed for parts
or components that are to be mass-produced, or
22
those that cannot be machined to specifications
from conventional grades.
• Selenium is less effective than sulfur on an
Saturation magnetization, kilogauss, kG

20 ●
● equivalent weight basis, although it is reported to
●
● provide a better surface finish.
●
● • Lead and bismuth free-machining additives en-
●
18 ●
● able high metal-removal rates, superior surface fin-
●
● ● ishes, and lower tool wear. However, lead is lim-
● ited by its toxicity and tendency to cause
●
16 hot-working problems.
●●
●● • Phosphorus has some deleterious effects on cor-
●●
●
rosion resistance, and is not commonly added.
14
• Soft oxides have been included in stainless steels,
but they tend to form hard abrasive oxides that can
reduce tool life.

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Families of soft magnetic alloys

Chromium, % Three basic families of soft magnetic alloys pre-
ceded development of the current ferritic stainless
Fig. 2 — Chromium levels must be carefully balanced because saturation steels. Each has offered various combinations of
magnetization declines as the percentage of chromium increases. magnetic and mechanical properties. Typical mag-
netic properties are shown in Table 1, and candi-
Other elements that influence corrosion resistance include date applications with candidate service environ-
molybdenum, sulfur, and strong carbide-formers such as nio- ments are indicated in Table 2. The three groups
bium and titanium. Molybdenum improves pitting resistance in include:
the ferritic stainless alloys. Niobium (columbium) and titanium • Electrical irons: These relatively pure, low-
act as stabilizing influences, helping to maintain corrosion resist- carbon irons were the first magnetic alloys. They
ance, especially if the component is welded during assembly. On offer the least corrosion resistance of all the soft
the other hand, sulfur is detrimental to corrosion resistance, but magnetic alloys, and provide good direct-current
is added despite this to make free-machining grades. soft magnetic properties. They are suitable for mag-
netic circuit cores and relays, and are effective in
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Table 1 — Magnetic properties of selected magnetic alloys

Saturation Electrical
magnetization resistivity, Coercivity Maximum
Alloys Bs, Tesla micro-ohm-mm Hc, A/m permeability
Electrical iron 2.1 130 56 7500
Silicon core iron B-FM 2.1 400 56 5000
Type 430 FR solenoid quality stainless 1.5 760 200 2500
Chrome Core 8 & 8-FM alloys 1.8 492 200 3100
Chrome Core 12 & 12-FM alloys 1.7 570 200 3100
Chrome Core 13 & 13-FM alloys 1.7 779 140 2900
Chrome Core 18-FM solenoid quality stainless 1.5 755 199 1500
Chrome Core 29 solenoid quality stainless 1.3 630 98 1624

Table 2 — Applications and service environments

Alloys Candidate service environments Candidate applications
Electrical iron Dry air Relays, solenoids, pole pieces
Silicon core irons Dry air Relays, solenoids, pole pieces
Chrome Core 8 & 8-FM alloys Fuels, mild atmospheres Corrosion resistant laminations, fuel injectors
Chrome Core 12 & 12-FM alloys Corrosive fuels, fresh water Fuel injectors, ABS solenoids
Chrome Core 13 & 13-Fm alloys Corrosive fuels, fresh water Fuel injectors, ABS solenoids
Type 430 FR solenoid quality stainless Mild aqueous environments Fuel injectors, ABS solenoids, auto adjusting
suspension
Chrome Core 18-FM solenoid quality stainless Chlorides, mild chemicals Fuel injectors, solenoids
Chrome Core 29 solenoid quality stainless Corrosive, high-purity environments Solenoids for industrial applications

Table 3 — Nominal compositions of selected magnetic alloys

Alloys Carbon, % Chromium,% Silicon, % Iron Other, %
Electrical iron 0.02 max. 0.20 0.12 Bal. —
Silicon core irons 0.03 0.25 max. 2.50 Bal. —
Chrome Core 8 & 8-FM alloys 0.06 max. 17.5 1.25 Bal. —
Chrome Core 12 & 12-FM alloys 0.03 max. 12.0 0.5 Bal. —
Chrome Core 13 & 13-FM alloys 0.03 max. 13.0 1.5 Bal. —
Chrome Core 18-FM solenoid quality stainless 0.015 17.5 0.9 Bal. 1.75 Mo
Chrome Core 29 solenoid quality stainless 0.03 28.75 — Bal. —

solenoids that activate electrical controls. the best magnetic properties and lowest residual
Premium quality core irons are produced by magnetism of the stainless steels, and has served
vacuum melting. They are stabilized with vana- in corrosive environments for many years.
dium to minimize degradation of magnetic prop- Type 430FR Solenoid Quality stainless steel of-
erties over time, and they provide properties that fers improved wear resistance, higher resistivity of
are more uniform over the entire area of the 760 mW-mm, and increased hardness. This grade is
magnet. These properties can be customized to con- the reference alloy for the soft magnetic ferritic stain-
form to service conditions. less steels. Because of the chromium addition, the
• Silicon irons: The addition of silicon to low- alloy exhibits lower saturation and higher coercivity
carbon iron increases both hardness and electrical than iron (Table 1). Its good corrosion resistance
resistivity, while retaining similar magnetic prop- and high resistivity provide benefits in both in-
erties. Silicon Core Iron B-FM, considered the stan- dustrial and consumer solenoids.
dard alloy in this family, is a free-machining grade
with electrical resistivity of 400 mW-mm. Ferritic stainless steels
This alloy is for applications requiring very low It has become increasingly apparent in recent
hysteresis loss, high permeability, low residual mag- years that the alloys sucessful in the past are not
netism, and freedom from magnetic aging. Its mag- able to meet the newer, more demanding needs for
netic characteristics and cold working/cold forming fuel injection and other technologies. Greater mag-
properties are in the same range as Silicon Core netic saturation than that found in 430FR stainless
Iron B, an alloy without the phosphorus additive is required to create stronger forces in smaller parts.
that improves machinability. At the same time, good corrosion resistance is
• Chromium-iron magnetic stainless steels: These al- needed – more than that offered by core iron or sil-
loys provide good corrosion resistance for control de- icon iron, but perhaps not quite as much as that
vices exposed to weather, fuel, or similar environ- provided by 430FR stainless.
ments. Although these steels have adequate magnetic In response to changing materials requirements,
properties for core applications, they allow higher Carpenter developed a family of Chrome Core al-
core losses and provide lower saturation and per- loys that provide a carefully balanced combination
meability than silicon irons in core applications. of corrosion resistance, magnetic properties,
Type 430F Solenoid Quality stainless steel has cost, and fabricability. These are all controlled-
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chemistry, soft magnetic, ferritic stainless steels. See devices that require optimum magnetic properties
Table 3 for the nominal chemical compositions of in a stainless alloy. Key compositional changes pro-
Key these and alternative alloys for electromechanical vide increased electrical resistivity and lower coer-
devices. civity, while providing good corrosion resistance
compositional • Chrome Core 8 and 8-FM alloys, and Chrome and stable ferrite.
changes Core 12 and 12-FM alloys, were the first two grades The introduction of this and the two lower-
provide in the series. The FM version of each alloy has en- chromium alloys was motivated by the need to di-
hanced machinability to facilitate component fab- rectly replace silicon iron components. Sulfur up
increased rication. The sulfur added to improve machinability to 0.5% has been added in the FM grade when the
electrical has minimal effect on magnetic properties. gain in machinability is more important than the
resistivity Both can be considered for magnetic components slight decline in magnetic performance.
in which corrosion resistance must be superior to • Chrome Core 18-FM Solenoid Quality Stainless is
and lower that of pure iron, low carbon steel, and silicon-iron designed for more corrosive environments than
coercivity, alloys, but without the substantial decline in satu- those tolerated by 18% Cr-Fe Type 430 stainless or
while ration induction associated with the 18% any of the other Chrome Core alloys mentioned
chromium-ferritic stainless steels. previously. It has corrosion resistance superior to
providing Both grades have been used in a variety of auto- that of Type 430FR Solenoid Quality Stainless, with
good motive electromechanical components such as fuel generally similar magnetic properties.
injectors, fuel pump motor laminations, and ABS It is stabilized with columbium (niobium) to pro-
corrosion solenoids. They can be considered for control de- vide improved corrosion resistance with optimum
resistance vices requiring some degree of corrosion resistance, machinability. The alloy balance also provides re-
and stable either in service or for extended shelf life, without sistivity similar to that of Type 430FR stainless. High
the need for protective coatings. resistivity is beneficial in applications involving AC
ferrite. When exposed to CM 85A fuel, with and without excitation, because of reduced eddy current losses.
aeration, the Chrome Core 12 and 12-FM alloys It can be considered for service in corrosive aqueous
have displayed corrosion resistance similar to or environments and mild chemicals, especially when
approaching that of Type 430F/430FR Solenoid chlorides are present to attack the crevices inherent
Quality stainless. Resistance is also significantly in solenoid valves. Potential applications include
better than that of Silicon Core Iron B-FM alloy. parts and components for the appliance industry,
• Chrome Core 13 and 13-FM alloys were devel- steam irons, and taps for soda and beer.
oped as candidate materials for electromechanical • Chrome Core 29 Solenoid Quality Stainless, newest
addition to the Chrome Core family of alloys, is a
premium grade that may be considered for corro-
sive, high-purity environments such as those en-
countered in the semiconductor manufacturing in-
dustry and other corrosive aqueous environments.
This grade offers superior corrosion resistance while
satisfying the need for a metallurgically clean material
suitable for electroplating. It provides significantly
better corrosion resistance than any other material in
Carpenter’s family of solenoid-quality alloys. In fact,
its corrosion resistance is greater than that of Type 316L
stainless steel in some environments.
Magnetic properties are similar to those of Type
430FR Solenoid Quality Stainless, but with consid-
erably better corrosion resistance. In tests governed
by the ASTM G150 procedure, Chrome Core 29 So-
lenoid Quality Stainless exhibited a critical pitting
temperature of 14.8°C (58.6°F), significantly higher
than Type 430FR Solenoid Quality Stainless, which
started to pit at 5°C (41°F). In addition, high resis-
tivity tends to suppress eddy current losses and im-
prove efficiency in applications involving AC or
rapidly pulsed DC excitation.
No single alloy can provide the very best in soft
magnetic properties, corrosion resistance, and fab-
ricability, at any cost. Therefore, tradeoffs are nec-
essary to formulate alloys with the best and most
affordable combination of properties for any given
application. ■
For more information: Daniel A. DeAntonio is Staff Spe-
cialist, Bar Product Engineering, Carpenter Technology
Corp., P. O. Box 14662, Reading, PA 19612-4662; tel:
610/208-2369; fax: 610/736-7078; e-mail ddeantonio@
cartech.com.

32 Circle 21 or visit www.adinfo.cc ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES/OCTOBER 2003