Deep Insight
E-motor materials
The need for low weight and high performance in e-mobility motors is driving a demand for specialist metal alloys and insulating materials that are also thermally conductive. There is a strong focus as well on how they are sourced, particularly with regard to heavy rare earth (HRE) elements.
Dysprosium and neodymium for example are used to boost the magnetic field in permanent magnets, but they can be difficult to source and are expensive. Others, such as erbium, are more freely available, so magnet makers are looking at using those instead, as well as reducing the amount of HREs that are required.