The global landscape of the automotive industry has been transformed by the introduction of electric power for the operation of vehicles. The use of electric motors in the vehicles has made the transportation more economical, efficient, environment friendly and sustainable. The prime element of the electric vehicles is electric motor which power the vehicles through the conversion of electric energy into mechanical energy. The efficiency, power density, power density and performance of the electric motors depend upon the quality of the magnets used as the magnets are the main elements of the motors.
The magnets having higher magnetic strength and resistance capacity to demagnetization are generally used in the motors of the electric vehicles. The SmCo (samarium cobalt) and NdFeB ( Neodymium Iron Boron are rare earth magnets which have high magnetic strength and resistance to demagnetization are selected for the manufacturing of electric motors. The application of these magnet have made the electric motors more lightweight, compact and capacity to generate the high torque at different load or speed condition (low and high speed). The compactness and light weight property have made these the more suitable and valuable motors for the electric vehicles. Due to unique properties of the rare earth magnets, the demand for the electric motors of the vehicles are going to increase. The Automobile industries are demanding high strength and high quality magnets for electric vehicles due to reduced consumption of energy and economical solutions. The demands of high performance magnets are also increasing because people are adopting more electric vehicle because of less energy usage, improved driving performance and extra range. The only dependency on rare earth magnets is growing concerns and challenges due to cost, stability of supply chain and other environmental factors of these materials. The researchers and scientists are working on improving the performance and properties of the magnets and also exploring new type of magnets so that sustainable solution can be provided in the future. The use of high quality magnets are not making the electric vehicle more efficient but also the more sustainable for the future.
In this modern era, growth and demand of electric vehicles have been increasing due to less carbon emissions and greener energy solutions. The different countries are introducing new type of initiative and policies for adopting the technology of electric motors in the vehicles replacing the conventional energy sources. They are providing the subsidies, tax credits and development of necessary structure for the electric vehicles to the people. The Companies like Tesla, BYD and Nissan of the US, China and European unions are manufacturing a large number of electric vehicles (Evs). The sales of electric vehicles will be increased to maximum percentage of current sale of the conventional vehicles by 2030.
The electric motors are the main elements of the electric vehicles which provide the high power to the vehicles as compared to the conventional internal combustion engines (IC engines). The smoother and high performance operation of the electric vehicles depends upon the quality and efficiency of the electric motors. The motors of the electric vehicles are basically the devices which provide the high output power, efficiency and balance between cost and weight. The needs of the electric motors are increasing with the advancement of electric vehicle technology. The instant torque and better handling by the high efficiency and powerful motors provide the better driving experience to the riders. So there is dire need to work on the innovative design, material and the controlling system so that electric vehicles become more attractive in the global market.
Introduction:
The NdFeB ( Neodymium iron boron) magnets are high performance magnets having the powerful magnetic field and provide the lightweight and compact solution for the systems like electric vehicle motors. Noedymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnets are the rare earth magnets having the strongest magnetic energy density among all the available magnets in the markets. Neodymium, iron and boron are the elements used for the production of Neodymium iron boron magnets. For the applications where high speed, torque and compactness is required, the neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magents are preferred.
Magnets of high performance are critical for the electric motors because of the following properties:
Efficiency:
The efficiency and performance of the electric motors depend upon the magneti-c field. Because with the magnetic field, the electric energy of the motor is converted into mechanical energy which act as a source for the operation of electric vehicles. The strongest magnetic field of the magnets make the motors most efficient. The Neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnets are strong magnets and widely used for the efficient operation of the electric motors.
High power and torque density:
The magnets of high torque and power density are used for the electric motors of the electric vehicles. The neodymium iron boron magnets are the magnets having high torque and power density and provide the compact solution for motors of the electric vehicles.
Compact and lightweight design:
The compact and lightweight design of the motors of the electric vehicles are the top priority of the automotive engineers and designers. The use of Neodymium iron boron magnets has made the design of the electric motors more compact and lightweight without comprising the efficiency and power output.
Having stability and resistance to heat:
The magnets generally used for the electric motors should have the high stability and resistance properties against the high temperature conditions. The Neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnets have the high resistance and stability properties for heat and high temperature conditions. So these magnets are most suitable for the manufacturing of the electric motors of the electric vehicles.
For permanent magnet synchronous motors:
The Neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magenets are the magnets widely used in the manufacturing of the permanent magnet synchronous motors because of unique properties like strongest and permanent magnetic field with compact and lightweight design.
Neodymium iron boron ( NdFeB) magnets are permanent rare earth magnets commonly used for various practical application like in motors of the electric vehicles. These type of magnets are manufactured with the combination of elements (iron, boron, Neodymium) and have the formula of Nd2Fe14B and famous for their extraordinary magnetic strength and permanent nature. The properties of the Neodymium magnets are enlisted and described below:
Brittle nature. The Neodymium iron boron magnets have the brittle nature property means they can break or fracture on the application of applied load or stress.
Compactness: The compact and light weight designs of the electrical vehicles are generally demanded by the customers. So the compact and light structure of the electric motors make the vehicles compact. The Neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnets are magnets which can be designed in the compact size.
Magnetic strength: The high magnetic strength generated can help in attaining the high efficiency and performance of the motors. NdFeB magnets have the more magnetic strength than other available magnets ( Alnico and ferrite).
Curie Temperature: The NdFeB magnets have low value of curie temperature and other materials are mixed with these to improve the curie temperature as desired for the efficient and stable motors.
Resistance to corrosion:
The magnets should have capacity to resist the corrosion but Neodymium magnets have less resistance to corrosion and oxidation. The coating of epoxy, zinch and nickel are done on the surface of the magnets to improve the resistance to corrosion or oxidation.
Efficient electric vehicles:
The neodymium iron boron magnets produce strong magnetic field due to which motors run efficiently. The energy losses of the motors are reduced and vehicles can cover the distance with less energy. So the Neodymium magnets provide the efficient solution of the electric vehicles.
High torque and acceleration generation:
High magnetic strength of the Neodymium magnets help the motors to attain the high torque conditions with very low speed. It means the electric vehicles of Neodymium iron magnets motors have high response and better experience for the users.
Low vibration and noise:
The NdFeB motors have less noisy and vibration free operation. So less noise pollution is generated in these type of electric motors.
Management of temperature:
The curie temperature of the NdFeB magnets is lower than the other magnets so management of heat and other produced energy is easy. The performance and efficiency of the vehicles are maintained in the challenging atmosphere.
Compact and lightweight:
The application of the Neodymium magnets in the electric motors have made electric vehicles more compact and lightweight. That is the reason that these magnets are preferably used for the motors of electric vehicles.
SmCo ( Samarium Cobalt magnets)
The samarium cobalt magnets are the rare earth magnets and contains the elements of cobalt and samarium. These magnets are very suitable for the critical condition of corrosive and high temperature. They have high resistance capacity against high temperature corrosion.
High corrosion resistance
These magnets are not corroded or oxidized and need no coatings or layers for protection from corrosion.
High Temperature stability
These magnets maintain their magnetic strength and other properties to maximum 3500C temperature condition.
Brittle
The samarium cobalt (SmCo) magnets have a more brittle structure than that of the NdFeB magnets.
These magnets have applications in the automotive, military, aerospace and medical equipment manufacturing industries.
Comparison with NdFeB magnets
The samarium cobalt (SmCo) magnets are more costly as compared to the NdFeB magnets. The samarium cobalt magnets have lower magnetic strength than that of Neodymium iron cobalt magnets. But the performance of the samarium cobalt magnets is higher than NdFeB magnets at higher temperature conditions as the NdFeB magnets cannot sustain their magnetic strength and properties.
BLDC ( Brushless DC ) motors and PMSMS ( permanent magnet synchronous motors) use the magnetic field of the magnets for power generation and these permanent magnetic motors are commonly used in the Electric vehicles. The rare earth magnets like Neodymium iron cobalt and samarium cobalt are in these type of motors.
Description and working.
PMSM (permanent magnet synchronous motor) are the electric motors which have no winding operated with the help of magnetic field of permanent magnets. The motor is called synchronous as the frequency of rotor spin is equal to that of the permanent magnetic field. The PMSM have high power density and efficiency and precision control over the operation.
The stator, rotor and control system are the main components of the permanent magnet synchronous motor. There is 3-phase winding in the stator and produces magnetic field when supply of alternating current is provided. The permanent magnets are there in the rotor and generate their own magnetic field. The magnetic field of the stator creates a rotation in the rotor. The control system of the motor control the frequency and current.
Application of High-Performance Magnets in PMSM.
The high performance magnets help to produce high torque density in Permanent Magnet synchronous motor and design becomes compact and efficiency of the motor is also increased due to stronger magnetic field. These permanent magnet synchronous motors are widely used aerospace, drones, automation of industrial and manufacturing processes and also in electric vehicles due to efficient and compactness.
BLDC ( Brushless DC motor)
In Brushless DC motors are the synchronous motors and operated by the power of the Direct current ( DC and controller (electronic) is used for the control of operation. There are no brushes used in these motors. The stator , Rotor and electronic controller are main component of the Brushless DC motors. Stator is static part containing the current flowing coils of wire. The permanent magnets are present in the Rotor and electronic controller is used to control the operation.
Efficiency and performance of the motors are improved
The magnets have impact or effect on the performance and efficiency of the BLDC motor:
Greater power density
The permanent magnets ( rare earth) produce high power density and make the perfect operation.
Efficient operation
Permanent magnets need no external source of energy for the operation so the operation of the electric motors becomes the efficient due to the magnetic field of the permanent magents.
High performance
The permanent magnets provide the high efficiency and performance for high and variable speed conditions.
Less maintenance
These motors have no brushes and operation is by the magnetic field so it requires less maintenance.
Quiet operation
The operation of these motors is quiet and this because of magnetic field of the magnets.
Enhanced efficiency:
The NdFeB magnets produce the stronger magnetic field with minimum amount of energy in the electric motors and make the operation independent of the external energy or power source. So the process of electric motor is totally run by magnetic field. So efficiency of the electric motors is increased.The overall energy efficiency of the motors is increased because the power of the motor is totally run with the help of magnetic field. Less amount of energy is used in the operation. The driving range of the vehicles is also increased.
Improved power density:
Power density of the electric motors is improved with the use of permanent magnets because they provide the high power output with smallest and compact size. The weight of the vehicle is reduced with the use of permanent magnet motors.
Improved Durability:
The durability of the electric vehicle motors is increased because of the high performance permanent magnets having the capacity to resist the demagnetization for longer time and capable of maintaining the magnetic properties in high temperature conditions.
Advancement in design of Magnetic materials
Research and development are being done on the design and development on new type of magnetic materials so that demands of the magnets can be fulfilled in future. As the use of magnets are increasing day by day due to wide applications in the renewable energy, data storage instruments, sensors and electrical motors. The soft magnetic materials, nano magnetic materials, high temperature magnetic, magnetic shape memory alloys and multifunctional magnetic materials are researched and under development for future applications.
New materials to be replaced
The iron nitride materials provide the properties like the rare earth magnets so these materials can be used in place of rare earth magnets. The MnBi and MnAl alloys can be used instead of neodymium iron boron magnets.
The new techniques and research methods are used for making the magnets innovative and sustainable by performing quality research and experimental activities.
The introduction of high performance magnets in the electric motors of the electric vehicles have made the operation of vehicles more energy and power efficient. The magnets of high performance ( rare earth, SmCo and Neodymium) have a significant role in transforming the world toward the electric powered vehicles. The performance, power density, range of acceleration and driving of the electric vehicles have been increased with these higher performance magnets. New research and developments are being done to improve the properties of the current available magnets and discovery of new magnet materials.
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