I am trying to make an electromagnet, i would like to know what kind of core would work best, from what i have read a soft iron core would work best BUT i know some metals are known by number and i would like a number just to be more specific (if possible). i also need to keep the core from rusting and i was thinking of copper plating the core, would the magnet still work after doing so why or why not? (i know what wire i need to use i only need to know these last few things i asked)
Electronic – arduino – Electromagnetic Coil
arduinoelectromagnetism
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Best Answer
You are talking about a DC electromagnet right? So wrought iron is the best but it is almost impossible to find this days. Maybe in a flea market selling very old door's accessories etc. But you can search for Armco iron. Bellow is the relevant magnetic behaviour
Next choice is Steel 1010 with maximum permeability of 1800 and saturates at 1.6T. Don't use ferrite for this applications. Magnetic Irons is already coated in bronze-like coating (galvanised?). See a core of a loudspeaker. Painting does not degrade core characteristics, unless this coat insert a significant gap between coil and core. You can shape the tip of core to maximize the strength, like focus! And don't forget: Core cross section plays major role on electromagnet's pulling/holding strength. Finally keep in mind that core also plays a role in the electromagnet thermodynamics, so mass of core is also critical (ok...not only because of this).