Comparison study on SMC and grain-oriented laminated steel core for small-size axial flux permanent-magnet synchronous machines

Abstract This study aims to compare the soft magnetic composite (SMC) and grain-oriented (GO) steel stator axial flux permanent-magnet synchronous machine (AFPMSM) in terms of performance and iron losses. Stator cores are manufactured using both materials to perform experimental performance tests. The produced machines are designed for pump propulsion systems in left ventricular assist devices as an application area. The machines are modeled with several analytical equations, and iron losses and performance tests are carried out with AFPMSMs, finite element methods, and experimental setups. Our findings show that the torque density is higher in the GO steel stator AFPMSMs that can produce 15.07 percent more torque. GO steel material experimentally has 20.33 percent less iron loss as SMC material since the loss value per kilogram for SMC material is higher than that for GO steel. In addition, the saturation value of the SMC material is lower than that of the GO material according to the magnetic flux density value.