Top 5 Amorphous Motor Manufacturers

Most engineers believe that amorphous metal is an exotic material that is difficult to obtain. However, interest in this metal is increasing because its magnetic properties can improve energy efficiency in electrical gear and power distribution equipment. We will give the list of amorphous motor manufacturers for you to choose for your project. 

About Amorphous Alloy

Amorphous alloy is also called "liquid metal or metallic glass". Its main product, amorphous alloy ribbon, is a 0.03mm thick amorphous alloy ribbon obtained by rapidly cooling the alloy melt at a rate of one million degrees per second using rapid cooling technology. Its physical state is characterized by long-range disordered amorphous arrangement of metal atoms. Thanks to the special atomic structure formed by the above extreme production process, amorphous alloy has good properties such as low coercivity, high magnetic permeability, and high resistivity compared to traditional material silicon steel.

Basic Characteristics of Amorphous Metal Alloy

The amorphous alloy has a saturation flux density of 1.56T with working flux density up to 1.4T

The density of amorphous material is 7.18 gm/cc

The thickness of the amorphous ribbon is 0.025 mm

Lamination factor of 86%

The specific core loss of amorphous metal is 0.1-0.2 watt/kg at 1.4 T

Available in a standard width of 142 mm, 170 mm and 213 mm

Need annealing at 340-360 deg C

Advantages of Amorphous Motors

Amorphous metals are ideal for high-efficiency motors. Their distinct physical qualities, such as much lower core losses (approximately one-tenth of conventional iron), make them an excellent choice for situations where energy efficiency and decreased losses are critical, contributing to the motor's peak performance.

High Magnetic Permeability: Amorphous metal materials exhibit superior magnetic properties, which help reduce energy losses in the motor, particularly eddy current and hysteresis losses.

Energy Efficiency: With significantly lower energy losses, amorphous motors operate more efficiently, leading to reduced energy consumption and lower operating costs.

Environmental Benefits: The high efficiency of amorphous motors results in lower carbon dioxide emissions during operation, aligning with sustainability goals.

Lightweight Design: The properties of amorphous metals allow for a smaller and lighter motor, making it easier to install and use.

Enhanced Overload Capacity: Due to the excellent thermal performance of amorphous materials, these motors generate less heat under overload conditions, improving their overload capacity.

Amorphous Metal Motors are widely used in industrial applications, especially in situations where high efficiency and energy savings are critical, such as in variable frequency drives, pumps, fans, and compressors.

Disadvantages of Amorphous Metals

While amorphous metals have many advantages, they also have several disadvantages that make them difficult to use in some applications.

Amorphous metals are less formable than typical materials due to their foil-like structure.
Amorphous metals can be difficult to process due to their hardness and brittleness.
Amorphous metals have good performance in motor applications, but are more costly to process than standard materials.

Amorphous Motor Application

Amorphous magnetic metals play a pivotal role in various industries due to their unique properties, which enhance efficiency and performance in numerous applications. In electric motors, these materials optimize the magnetic circuit, thanks to their high magnetic permeability and low core losses. This results in improved motor efficiency, making them a preferred choice for manufacturers.

New Energy Vehicles

The application in the field of new energy vehicles is accelerating significantly. Amorphous small motors have been widely used in drones, vacuum cleaners, air compressors and other fields. In the automotive field, new energy vehicle companies such as BYD, Weilai, Changan, and GAC have begun to conduct relevant research and have established corresponding research departments. Some car companies have already launched related products.

Renewable Energy

Amorphous materials play an important role in solar and wind power inverters. Their excellent magnetic capabilities contribute to efficient energy conversion, making them an ideal choice for these applications.

The adaptability of amorphous magnetic materials across these diverse applications underscores their significance in advancing technology. They provide solutions that prioritize energy efficiency, reliability, and performance in various electrical and electronic systems. Their continued use and development are crucial for meeting the growing demands for sustainable and efficient energy solutions.

List of Amorphous Motor Manufacturers

These manufacturers are renowned for their dedication to creating cutting-edge technology, such as the incorporation of amorphous metals into motor designs to increase efficiency and lower energy usage.

• Hitachi Metals

Hitachi Metals, Ltd. (Hitachi Metals) is a steel producer. High-performance industrial products are manufactured by it. High-quality metal products and materials, magnetic materials, high-quality functional parts and equipment, wires, cables, and related products are all part of its product line. In addition, the company sells rare-earth magnets, energy-related products, injection molding machine parts, and semiconductor package components.
renowned for increasing motor efficiency through the use of amorphous metals like MetglasTM. The highest energy efficiency rating, IE5, was attained by their prototype motor.

• ABB

ABB Offers energy-efficient motors incorporating amorphous metals to minimize core loss, targeting industrial and renewable energy applications. ABB got the Minister of Economy's Cup for its amorphous core transformers, the highest accolade in the competition for the most innovative product shown at the international trade expo ENERGETAB 2013 in Poland.

• Schneider Electric

Schneider's purpose is to create impact by empowering everyone to make the most of energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability. Anchored by their deep domain expertise, they provide integrated end-to-end lifecycle AI-enabled Industrial IoT solutions with connected products, automation, software, and services. Integrates amorphous metal technology in its motor designs to enhance energy efficiency for smart industrial systems.

• Fuji Electric

Fuji Electric Co Ltd (Fuji Electric) is a manufacturer of electrical products. Its business operations include thermal, geothermal, and hydraulic power generation; nuclear power-related equipment; solar power generation systems; energy management systems; watt-hour meters; and information systems. Produces industrial and automotive motors with enhanced efficiency using amorphous metal cores.

• Mitsubishi Electric

Innovates in motor designs by incorporating amorphous metals for reduced losses in power applications. Mitsubishi Electric provides two types of high-efficiency transformers: EX-α and EX-β series. The EX-α, with an amorphous iron core, is perfect for customers that want to reduce standby power usage, such as schools, research centers, and government offices that consume nearly no electricity at night. The Ex-β, with a high performance electromagnetic steel strip, is particularly suited for factories that consume power 24/7 and have a high load factor.

Conclusion

The adaptability of amorphous magnetic materials across these diverse applications underscores their significance in advancing technology. They provide solutions that prioritize energy efficiency, reliability, and performance in various electrical and electronic systems. Their continued use and development are crucial for meeting the growing demands for sustainable and efficient energy solutions.