Use of balls containing a ferrite material and balls containing a ferrite material

Abstract

A ball (1) containing a ferrite material is provided. Further described is the use of a plurality of balls (1) for doping a base material to obtain a magnetic mixture having specific magnetic properties.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to balls containing ferrite material. The invention also relates to the use of a plurality of balls containing ferrite material.

Background Art

[0002] The magnetic properties of magnetic materials such as cement or concrete are realized by filling the material with a soft magnetic material, such as MnZn-ferrite ceramics. The filling factor of the magnetic material in the final suspension is a major parameter for magnetic properties such as the effective magnetic permeability.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Materials commonly used in various magnetic mixtures such as cement or concrete are sintered ferrite powders that have been ground to have a specific particle size distribution. However, the maximum size of the particles poses a limit to the maximum achievable magnetic permeability in the final mixture. The extremely fine particles obtained by milling have a very irregular shape, which complicates the fluidity during the mixing and processing of the final mixture, especially during the molding process. The fine ferrite particles bind to the water from the mixture, limiting the maximum achievable filling factor. Furthermore, the sintered powder requires milling, drying, grinding, and compression, resulting in high costs.

[0004] Another way to dope a magnetic mixture with a ferrite material is to use a crushed ferrite core. Since the ferrite material is extremely hard and brittle, the shape of the crushed ferrite core becomes inhomogeneous and sharp, which brings complexity during the final mixing process and limits the final filling rate of the magnetic mixture. The filling rate achieved by these irregular particles is low, and it is almost impossible to control the particle size distribution during the crushing process. In addition to this, the waste ferrite cores have limited sources and are difficult to use in large quantities.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide ferrite balls for solving the above problems, and to use a plurality of ferrite balls.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The above problems are solved by the balls and the use of the balls described in the independent claims.

[0007] In one embodiment, at least one ball, particularly a plurality of balls, is provided. The term "ball" represents the body of a compressed material in a specific (i.e., ball-shaped or round) form.

[0008] The ball is a magnetic body. Preferably, the ball contains a soft magnetic material. The ball contains a ferrite material. In particular, the material of the ball may contain Fe2O3, MnO2, or ZnO. The material of the ball may be of the spinel structure type. In one embodiment, the ball may have a spinel structure of sintered MnZn ferrite.

[0009] In one embodiment, the ball is calcined. Further, the ball is sintered. The ball (also referred to as "ferrite ball" in the following description) may be manufactured by a conventional disk pelletizing process or granulation process and then calcined and sintered in an existing sintering kiln.

[0010] When compared with conventional ferrite powder, the ball milling process and spray drying process are omitted when manufacturing ferrite balls. Also, compared with sintered ferrite powder, the crushing process, wet ball milling process, and drying process of sintered balls are not essential. As a result, ferrite balls are manufactured easily and inexpensively. Therefore, a highly cost-effective product that can be easily manufactured by conventional methods is provided.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the balls have a uniform shape. The balls may all have substantially the same outer shape. In particular, all the balls may have a round outer shape. There are no sharp edges on the surface of the balls. In particular, the surface of each ball is smooth.

[0012] Thus, the balls can be easily subjected to further processing and, by using existing mixing techniques, can be mixed, for example, with additional materials. Also, due to the uniform shape of the ferrite balls, excellent fluidity of the balls can be achieved.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the ferrite balls have a controlled size. In other words, the variation in the (predetermined) size of the balls may be slight. All the balls may be substantially the same size, or balls of different predetermined sizes may be intentionally mixed with each other.

[0014] The diameter D of each ball may be 3 mm ≤ D ≤ 15 mm. For example, the diameter of each ball may be 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, or 10 mm. The diameter D of the ferrite balls may be larger compared to the size of conventional ferrite powder particles in the range of 1 to 200 microns.

[0015] By controlling the size and shape of the ferrite balls, the mixability of the balls by standard mixing techniques used, for example, by the concrete industry is promoted. Therefore, by using existing mixing techniques, the balls can be efficiently and uniformly dispersed in the final magnetic mixture.

[0016] In one embodiment, the density of each ball is 4200 kg / m 3 as follows. The density may be 3000 kg / m 3 or higher. In other words, the density of each ferrite ball is quite low. Therefore, the ferrite balls have excellent fluidity and can be easily dispersed in the base material.

[0017] In one embodiment, the balls have a relative permeability of 200 or more. Therefore, the magnetic permeability of the balls is higher compared to sintered ferrite powder and compared to crushed ferrite cores.

[0018] In one embodiment, the balls are adapted to be used as a filling material for a magnetic mixture. In other words, the filling material includes a plurality of ferrite balls. The filling material may be designed to be mixed with a base material (e.g., an inorganic material) to obtain the aforementioned magnetic mixture. The filling material may be designed to dope the base material.

[0019] The filling material includes a plurality of sintered ferrite balls, which are produced by a conventional disk pelletizing process and / or granulation process and then calcined and sintered in an existing sintering kiln. Therefore, a highly cost-effective filling material that can be easily manufactured by conventional methods is provided.

[0020] In another aspect, the use of a plurality of balls for doping a base material to obtain a magnetic mixture having specific magnetic properties is provided. In other words, the balls may be used as a filling material. The balls may include a ferrite material. Preferably, the balls correspond to the aforementioned ferrite balls. Therefore, all the features described in relation to the ferrite balls also apply to this aspect and vice versa.

[0021] The balls provide a high magnetic permeability as compared to sintered ferrite powder and compared to crushed ferrite cores. Due to their specific properties, homogeneous mixing of the balls with the base material is possible, and good flowability of the final magnetic mixture can be achieved.

[0022] For example, an inorganic base material may be mixed with the ferrite balls. By mixing the base material with the ferrite balls, a magnetic mixture having specific magnetic properties can be obtained. The base material can be mixed with the ferrite balls using conventional mixing techniques. This facilitates the incorporation of the ferrite balls into existing manufacturing processes for magnetic mixtures.

[0023] The material and / or filling ratio and / or magnetic permeability (i.e., relative magnetic permeability) of the ferrite balls may depend on the type of the base material, and / or the intended use of the final magnetic mixture, and / or the intended further processing of the balls and may be adapted accordingly. Here, the filling ratio reflects the mixing ratio of the ferrite balls and the base material. The material, filling ratio, and / or relative magnetic permeability of the balls may be selected such that a high magnetic permeability and optimized flowability of the magnetic mixture are achieved.

[0024] The size of the ferrite balls may be selected according to the desired flowability of the magnetic mixture and / or the desired magnetic properties of the magnetic mixture and / or the filling ratio. In one embodiment, ferrite balls of the same predetermined size may be mixed with the base material to obtain a magnetic mixture. Alternatively, ferrite balls of different predetermined sizes may be mixed with the base material to obtain a magnetic mixture. In this way, a higher filling ratio can be achieved.

[0025] As described above, the diameter of the ferrite balls is between 3 mm and 15 mm. The diameter of the ferrite balls may be larger compared to the range of 1 to 200 microns, which is the size of conventional ferrite powder particles. In this way, a high magnetic permeability can be achieved in the final magnetic mixture. Also, the said diameter facilitates the mixing of the balls in standard mixing techniques used, for example, in the concrete industry. Also, by controlling the diameter of the ferrite balls, it is promoted to easily control the filling rate. Due to the good fluidity of the final mixture and the controlled filling rate, producers of magnetic concrete can use the casting process during construction work.

[0026] The filling rate of the ferrite balls in the magnetic mixture is 70 wt% or more. The filling rate may be, for example, up to 95 wt%. The filling rate of the ferrite balls in the magnetic mixture may also be 50% or more by volume.

[0027] When used as a filling material, the balls may have different (but predetermined) sizes. In other words, ferrite balls of different dimensions can be combined to form the filling material. The ratio of the large balls B to the small balls S may be B / S = 70 / 30. The larger balls may have, for example, a diameter of 10 mm. The smaller balls may have, for example, a diameter of 4 mm or 5 mm. Naturally, other mixing ratios B / S are also possible, for example B / S = 75 / 25, 80 / 20 or 85 / 15. The combination of larger and smaller balls helps to increase the filling rate of the filling material in the magnetic mixture.

[0028] Also, when balls are used as the filling material, the ferrite sintered powder may be mixed with the base material / or added to the magnetic mixture. The ferrite sintered powder may be a conventional ferrite powder milled with a specific particle size distribution. The size of the ferrite particles in the sintered powder may be between 1 μm and 200 μm. By combining ferrite balls and ferrite sintered powder to form a magnetic mixture, a higher filling rate can be achieved.

[0029] Further features, improvements and preferred examples will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments related to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030]

Figure 1

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0031] In FIG. 1, a plurality of balls 1 are shown. The ball 1 is a compressed body having a round outer shape. The ball 1 contains a magnetic ferrite material, preferably a soft magnetic ferrite material. In particular, the ball 1 is a sintered ferrite ball 1.

[0032] To obtain the ferrite ball 1, first, dry mixing of the raw materials is performed. The raw materials include, for example, MnZn FER, NiZn FER, or MgZn FER.

[0033] Thereafter, a standard disk pelletizing process and / or a standard granulation process is carried out. After the formation of the ball 1, the ball 1 is calcined, filled, and subjected to a sintering process. The sintering process is carried out in an existing sintering kiln. Overall, only a few steps are required to obtain the ferrite ball 1. The sintered ferrite ball 1 has a spinel structure type.

[0034] As can be inferred from FIG. 1, the ferrite balls 1 have a homogeneous shape. In particular, the shape of the ferrite balls 1 is round. The outer surface of each ball 1 is smooth. There are no sharp edges or protrusions on the outer surface of the balls 1. All the balls 1 have the same, i.e., round outer shape.

[0035] The density of each ball 1 is between 3000 and 4200 kg / m 3 and these limit values are included. Depending on the size of the ferrite balls 1, the relative permeability of each ferrite ball 1 may be 200 or more. The balls 1 can be easily processed and have excellent fluidity.

[0036] The balls 1 are adapted to be used as the filling material 10. In other words, the balls 1 are adapted to be efficiently and uniformly mixed with a base material (not explicitly shown). When the balls 1 are mixed with the base material, a magnetic mixture (not explicitly shown) having specific properties such as good fluidity and high relative permeability is obtained.

[0037] The ferrite balls 1 provide a higher magnetic permeability compared to sintered ferrite powder and compared to crushed ferrite cores. Due to their specific properties, in the case of the balls 1, a homogeneous mixing with the base material is possible and good fluidity of the final magnetic mixture is achieved.

[0038] The ferrite balls 1 have a controlled (i.e., specific) size. The diameter D of each ferrite ball 1 may be between 3 mm and 15 mm and these limit values are included. In one embodiment, only balls 1 of a predetermined size (e.g., 3 mm) form the filling material 10. In this case, the variation in the size of the balls 1 may be only slight.

[0039] Alternatively, ferrite balls 1 of different (predetermined) sizes may be combined to form the filling material 10. For example, ferrite balls 1 having diameters between 3 mm and 6 mm may be combined with each other, or large ferrite balls 1 (for example, balls 1 having a diameter of 10 mm or more) may be combined with small ferrite balls 1 (for example, balls 1 having a diameter of 4 mm, 5 mm, or 6 mm). Thereby, the filling rate of the filling material 10 in the final magnetic mixture, that is, the mixing ratio between the filling material 10 and the base material may be optimized.

[0040] Due to the specific properties of the filling material 10, the magnetic mixture is extremely homogeneous and has a high filling rate and good fluidity. The filling rate may be 70% by weight or more, or 50% or more by volume ratio. Due to the good fluidity and controlled filling rate of the magnetic mixture, manufacturers of magnetic concrete can use the molding process during construction work.

[0041] Also, conventional ferrite sintered powder can be added to the magnetic mixture. This may be done before, after, or simultaneously with mixing the filling material 10 with the base material. By combining the ferrite balls 1 and the conventional ferrite sintered powder to obtain a magnetic mixture, an even higher filling rate can be achieved.

[0042] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments based on the above description. Rather, the present invention includes any new features, as well as any combination of features, and in particular, any combination of features in the claims, even if the features or combinations themselves are not explicitly described in the claims or embodiments.

Explanation of symbols

[0043] 1 Ball 10 Filling material D Diameter

Claims

1. A ball containing a ferrite material.

2. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the ball is sintered.

3. The ball according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the ball has a controlled size.

4. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the ball has a uniform shape.

5. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the diameter (D) of the ball satisfies 3 mm ≤ D ≤ 15 mm.

6. The respective densities of the balls are 4200 kg / m 3 or less, and the density is 3000 kg / m 3 or more. The ball according to claim 1.

7. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the ball is suitable for use as a filling material for a magnetic mixture.

8. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the ball contains a sintered spinel structure of MnZn ferrite.

9. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the ball is formed by a disk pelletizing process and / or a granulation process.

10. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the ball has a relative permeability of 200 or more.

11. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the ball is smooth.

12. Use of a plurality of balls for doping a base material to obtain a magnetic mixture having specific magnetic properties, wherein the balls contain a ferrite material.

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