Locally coupled magneto-mechanical model of electrical steel

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to find out how to model the effect of mechanical stresses on the magnetic properties of electrical steel used in electromagnetic devices and especially in electrical machines. Further, the effect of these stresses on the operation of the machines should be studied. Design/methodology/approach - The constitutive equation of the electrical steel is usually modeled as a non linear relation between the magnetic flux density and the magnetic field strength. In this research, this constitutive equation is developed to account for the mechanical stresses through a parametric relationship, the parameters of which are estimated from measurements. Further the, constitutive equation is used in a magnetomechanically coupled numerical simulation of an induction machine. Findings - The mechanical stresses degrade the properties of the electrical steel and increase the magnetization current in electrical machines. This leads to a decrease in the efficiency of these machines. Research limitations/implications - The effect of mechanical stresses is studied from the point of view of magnetization properties. This work does not model the effect of stresses on the specific losses of the material. Such a research is still going on. Originality/value - The effect of mechanical stress on the magnetic properties of the materials used in electrical machines is modeled in an easy and original way, which allow for its application in numerical simulation and analysis of these machines.