Discuss the properties and uses of ALNICO.

Alnico: It is an alloy of iron, nickel, cobalt and small amount of copper and aluminium.

Properties are -

1. Its saturation flux density is 1.2 Wb/m².

2. More expensive than Alni, although magnetic properties are good than Alni.

3. Available in various grades, each containing some various properties.

4. Hard and brittle, therefore this cannot be machined but has to be cast to shape and finished through grinding.

5. Magnets made along with this alloy are lighter in weight and smaller in size than that made with tungsten steel.

6. Its hysteresis loop is more rectangular.

7. Thermal and mechanical process, change the crystal shape and size and thereby modify the shape of the hysteresis curve.

Uses: Alnico magnets determine applications in loudspeakers, motors, microwave devices, generators, vending machines, communication devices and separators.