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Material Database

Electrical-Grade Pure Iron DT4C

Suitable for electromagnetic cores, yokes, relay cores, solenoid valve parts, sensor magnetic circuit components, and soft magnetic metal materials requiring high magnetic conductivity.

Material description

Electrical pure iron DT4C is a low-carbon, low-impurity soft magnetic material with high permeability, low coercivity, and good magnetic induction performance. It is commonly used in electromagnets, relays, yokes, cores, suction cups, sensor magnetic circuits, solenoid valves, instruments and meters, and parts requiring magnetic conductivity. Compared to ordinary carbon steel, DT4C's core advantage is not structural strength, but soft magnetic performance and magnetic circuit efficiency, making it suitable for electromagnetic components that require magnetic conductivity, magnetic engagement, magnetic field concentration, and low hysteresis loss.

DT4C Electrical Pure IronElectromagnetic pure ironIndustrial pure ironSoft magnetic pure ironMagnetic Conductive Pure IronLow-carbon pure ironElectromagnet core materialsSoft magnetic material DT4C
The main feature of DT4C pure iron for electrical engineering is its excellent soft magnetic propertiesSuitable for magnetic conduction in electromagnetic devicesMagnetic concentration and magnetic conduction effectsIt has relatively low carbon content and impurity contentIt helps reduce hysteresis loss and improve magnetic permeabilityDT4C material is relatively softThe strength and hardness are not highNot suitable as a substitute for 45# steel40Cr and other structural steels bear high-strength loadsSince it is an iron-based material,
Electrical-Grade Pure Iron DT4C
CNC MachiningMetals

Material compatibility assessment

By focusing on application scenarios, boundaries of advantages, and non-recommended scenarios, it helps sales, customer service, and quoting staff quickly determine whether the material meets current part requirements.

Core advantages

High magnetic permeability, low coercivity, good magnetic permeability, high magnetic induction strength, suitable for electromagnetic suction structures, suitable for soft magnetic parts, good machinability, can be annealed to improve magnetic performance, suitable for electromagnetic equipment and instrument parts.

Suitable for the product

Solenoid cores, relay cores, solenoid valve cores, yokes, magnetic poles, magnetic suction cup parts, sensor magnetic circuit components, instrument magnetic parts, motor magnetic circuit auxiliary parts, low-frequency electromagnetic components, magnetic shielding parts, electromagnetic brake parts, electromagnetic clutch parts, magnetic circuit guide blocks, soft magnetic structural components.

Not suitable for the product

High-strength load-bearing parts, high-hardness wear-resistant parts, highly elastic snap-fit parts, highly corrosive environment parts, long-term exposed outdoor parts, food direct contact parts, medical implant parts, high-temperature long-term load-bearing parts, precision magnetic cores requiring extremely low frequency and high-speed magnetic loss, parts requiring stainless steel appearance and corrosion resistance, and metal parts that require no rust protection or maintenance.

Key parameter references

The following parameters come from product information and material knowledge fields, used for design review, quotation communication, and preliminary judgment before material selection.

Material positioningSuitable for electromagnetic cores, yokes, relay cores, solenoid valve parts, sensor magnetic circuit components, and soft magnetic metal materials requiring high magnetic conductivity.
Precision performanceElectrical pure iron DT4C is suitable for CNC turning, milling, drilling, tapping, grinding, wire cutting, and general machining. The material is softer and easier to process, but it is prone to burrs, scratches, or deformation. It is recommended to separately control dimensional tolerances, flatness, and surface roughness of magnetic circuit mating surfaces, suction surfaces, positioning holes, and assembly surfaces. For parts requiring suction force, focus should be placed on controlling the flatness of the magnetic pole surface and the assembly clearance.
Dimensional tolerancesFor CNC machined electrical pure iron DT4C, the standard dimensional tolerances can be referenced as ±0.02mm-±0.10mm, while ordinary structural parts can be evaluated at ± 0.10mm-±0.20mm. If parts require annealing, blackening, nickel plating, galvanizing, or spraying, slight dimensional changes may occur after post-processing. This value is a standard reference range and is not an absolute guarantee tolerance for all structures. Magnetic circuit mating surfaces, suction surfaces, and positioning holes should be separately marked with tolerance requirements.
Minimum Wall ThicknessThe wall thickness of ordinary CNC machined structures is recommended to be no less than 0.8mm-1.0mm. Because DT4C material is relatively soft, thin-walled structures are prone to deformation or burrs, the load-bearing positions, thread positions, suction surfaces, and magnetic circuit cross-sectional areas should be appropriately thickened. When used for electromagnet cores or yokes, wall thickness and cross-sectional area should be comprehensively designed based on magnetic flux, magnetic saturation risk, and structural strength.
Recommended wall thicknessFor ordinary soft magnetic structural components, it is recommended to be between 1.5mm and 3.0mm or more; the cross-sectional dimensions of the yoke, magnetic poles, iron core, suction block, and solenoid valve core should be determined according to magnetic circuit design, magnetic flux density, attraction force, and assembly method. For tapping, press-fitting, bearing assembly forces, or ensuring magnetic circuit cross-sectional area, it is recommended to be at least 2.0mm, and avoid local cross-sectional areas that are too narrow and cause magnetic saturation.
Minimum apertureCNC machining can achieve smaller hole diameters, but deep and small holes require consideration of chip removal and burr control. For general designs, the recommended aperture is no less than 1.0mm. Screw holes, positioning holes, and assembly holes on magnetic circuit components should avoid excessively weakening the effective magnetic conductive cross-section. Holes near magnetic pole surfaces, attraction surfaces, or key magnetic circuit areas should be carefully arranged to avoid affecting magnetic flux distribution and attraction force.
Assembly clearanceFor ordinary metal assemblies, it is recommended to reserve 0.05mm-0.20mm on one side; for ordinary plug-in and structural assemblies, 0.10mm-0.30mm can be reserved. The electromagnetic attraction surface and magnetic circuit closure surface should be controlled as much as possible with air gaps; excessive air gaps significantly reduce attraction force and magnetic circuit efficiency. If subsequent nickel plating, zinc plating, blackening, painting, or powder spraying are required, the impact of surface treatment thickness on the assembly gap and magnetic pole air gap should be considered.
Detailed performanceDT4C is suitable for machining holes, grooves, steps, chamfers, threads, magnetic pole surfaces, suction surfaces, and ordinary structural details. Because the material is relatively soft, small edges and small holes are prone to burrs, so the magnetic circuit working surface should focus on deburring and ensuring flatness. Fine text, logos, and markings are recommended to be achieved through laser marking, engraving, or etching, but decorative textures that affect contact and magnetic paths are not recommended on key magnetic pole surfaces.
Surface effectDT4C's original machined surface usually has a silver-gray or gray-black metallic texture, prone to oxidation, rust spots, or knife marks. After grinding and polishing, a relatively smooth metal surface is obtained; after blackening or phosphating, a black or gray-black rust-resistant appearance is obtained; nickel or zinc plating enhances rust resistance and appearance stability. When used as magnetic circuit components, surface effect is usually not the focus; magnetic performance, air gap control, and rust protection are more important.

Typical application scenarios

Based on material characteristics and suitable product ranges, customer needs are broken down into easier application directions to determine.

Product validation

Solenoid cores, relay cores, solenoid valve cores, yokes, magnetic poles, magnetic suction cup parts, sensor magnetic circuit components, instrument magnetic parts, motor magnetic circuit auxiliary parts, low-frequency electromagnetic components, magnetic shielding parts, electromagnetic brake parts, electromagnetic clutch parts, magnetic circuit guide blocks, soft magnetic structural components.

Reasons for material selection

Suitable for electromagnetic cores, yokes, relay cores, solenoid valve parts, sensor magnetic circuit components, and soft magnetic metal materials requiring high magnetic conductivity.

Material characteristics

The main feature of DT4C pure iron for electrical engineering is its excellent soft magnetic properties, making it suitable for magnetic conduction, magnetization, and magnetic circuit conduction in electromagnetic equipment. It has relatively low carbon and impurity content, which helps reduce hysteresis loss and improve magnetic permeability. DT4C material is relatively soft, with low strength and hardness, making it unsuitable to replace structural steels such as 45# steel and 40Cr for high-strength loads. As iron-based materials, they are prone to rust in exposed environments and usually require blackening, nickel plating, zinc plating, painting, rust inhibitors, or other surface protection.

Design and risk review

Based on wall thickness, hole position, assembly clearance, dimensional tolerances, and material usage risks, determine in advance whether the part structure is suitable for Electrical-Grade Pure Iron DT4C.

Design considerations

  • When designing electrical pure iron DT4C parts
  • Magnetic circuit paths should be prioritized
  • Effective cross-sectional area
  • Magnetic saturation
  • Air gap on the suction surface
  • Assembly clearance and annealing status
  • It is recommended to add rounded corners or transition structures at magnetic circuit corners
  • This avoids increasing magnetic resistance caused by a small local cross-section
Precision performanceElectrical pure iron DT4C is suitable for CNC turning, milling, drilling, tapping, grinding, wire cutting, and general machining. The material is softer and easier to process, but it is prone to burrs, scratches, or deformation. It is recommended to separately control dimensional tolerances, flatness, and surface roughness of magnetic circuit mating surfaces, suction surfaces, positioning holes, and assembly surfaces. For parts requiring suction force, focus should be placed on controlling the flatness of the magnetic pole surface and the assembly clearance.
Dimensional tolerancesFor CNC machined electrical pure iron DT4C, the standard dimensional tolerances can be referenced as ±0.02mm-±0.10mm, while ordinary structural parts can be evaluated at ± 0.10mm-±0.20mm. If parts require annealing, blackening, nickel plating, galvanizing, or spraying, slight dimensional changes may occur after post-processing. This value is a standard reference range and is not an absolute guarantee tolerance for all structures. Magnetic circuit mating surfaces, suction surfaces, and positioning holes should be separately marked with tolerance requirements.
Quality riskThe main risk of DT4C pure iron for electrical engineering is that customers tend to treat it as ordinary structural steel, overlooking its limited strength and wear resistance; Or they can process only by size without controlling the magnetic performance state. In practical applications, cold working stress, heat treatment conditions, surface burrs, assembly air gaps, corrosion, and material batch size all affect the final magnetic properties. When used in products such as electromagnets, relays, and solenoid valves, focus should be paid to confirming magnetic permeability, coercivity, magnetic induction strength, annealing status, assembly clearance, and surface rust prevention requirements.
Surface effectDT4C's original machined surface usually has a silver-gray or gray-black metallic texture, prone to oxidation, rust spots, or knife marks. After grinding and polishing, a relatively smooth metal surface is obtained; after blackening or phosphating, a black or gray-black rust-resistant appearance is obtained; nickel or zinc plating enhances rust resistance and appearance stability. When used as magnetic circuit components, surface effect is usually not the focus; magnetic performance, air gap control, and rust protection are more important.

Post-processing and assembly precautions

Post-processing of Electrical-Grade Pure Iron DT4C affects appearance, dimensions, hole position, assembly clearance, and usage validation results, and should be explained in advance during quotation, DFM review, and sample confirmation stages.

Post-processing options

Post-processing should focus on appearance display, dimensional fitting, connection assembly, and testing verification. Parts involving assembly positions need to be reserved in advance for machining, coating, and trial assembly allowances.

Remove burrsDeburring is used to improve the appearance of parts, assembly, or functional verification effects, and it is necessary to confirm the impact on dimensions, strength, and delivery in combination with material characteristics.
PolishingImproves support marks, layer lines, and edge feel, but will slightly alter local dimensions and the shape of sharp edges.
PolishingUsed to improve transparency or surface smoothness, may change edge details and local dimensions.
SandblastingAchieve a more uniform matte surface, suitable for engineering prototype display and slight surface mark reduction.
Turns blackUsed for rust prevention and appearance treatment of steel parts, suitable for low-reflective black effects but limited protection.
PhosphatingPhosphating is used to improve part appearance, assembly, or usage validation, and must be combined with material properties to confirm dimensions, strength, and delivery impact.
Nickel platingNickel plating is used to improve the appearance, assembly, or validation of parts, and must be determined by combining material properties with dimensions, strength, and delivery impact.
GalvanizingGalvanization is used to improve the appearance, assembly, or validation of parts, and must be determined by combining material properties with dimensions, strength, and delivery impact.

Key control point

Size impactThe magnetic properties of DT4C affect the state of the material; cold working deformation; welding; Sensitive to processing stress and heat treatment; Machining; After stamping or cold deformation; Magnetic properties may decline; For important magnetic circuit components, stress-relief annealing or magnetic performance annealing is recommended
Assembly clearanceFor positions involving snapping, plugging, sliding, or enclosure closure, the clearance needs to be adjusted according to post-processing thickness, material shrinkage, and trial assembly results.
Hole Position StrengthThreading, inserting nuts, locking screws, and the areas around positioning holes need to ensure wall thickness to avoid cracks, stripped threads, or chipped edges during post-processing or assembly.
Environmental matchingWhen used in high-temperature, outdoor, humid, friction, or load-bearing scenarios, post-processing materials, adhesives, coatings, and fasteners must also meet the corresponding usage environment.

Structure and usage boundaries

For common issues such as threads, snaps, strength, temperature resistance, and weather resistance, identify in advance whether the material needs to be replaced or if another processing method should be used.

Thread Recommendation

Applicable ScopeDT4C can be tapped and processed with threads, but the material is softer, and its thread strength and wear resistance are inferior to structural steels like 45# and 40Cr.
Risk pointFor frequent disassembly, high locking force, or highly reliable connection positions, it is recommended to increase the threaded engagement length and use screw sleeves, inserts, or standard fastener structures.
Recommended practiceThreaded holes should be avoided being placed on key magnetic pole surfaces or at locations that excessively weaken the cross-section of the magnetic circuit.

Buckle recommendation

Applicable ScopeDT4C is not suitable for designing large deformation elastic clips like plastic, nor is it suitable as a spring or spring material.
Risk pointIt can design low-deformation metal slots, pressure plates, limit steps, screw fixation, pin positioning, or riveting structures.
Recommended practiceIf spring clips, spring plates, or highly elastic clips are needed, 65Mn, 301 stainless steel, beryllium copper, or specialized elastic materials should be chosen.

Strength and Environment

Mechanical strengthDT4C pure electrical iron has relatively low strength and hardness, good plasticity, and is more suitable for soft magnetic and magnetic parts rather than high-strength load-bearing parts.
Environmental boundaryIt cannot replace structural steels such as 45#, 40Cr, or Q345 for heavy loads, nor is it suitable for high-wear-resistant friction parts.
Recommended practiceLoad-bearing structures should focus on wall thickness, assembly method, thread strength, and deformation risk; The magnetic circuit structure should focus on effective cross-sectional area and magnetic saturation. DT4C can be used in general electromagnetic devices and in normal temperature rise environments, but high temperatures can affect surface oxidation, rust prevention layers, and some magnetic properties. If used near coils, in long-term heat-generating components, or in thermal cycling environments, verification should be conducted based on actual temperature rise, magnetic performance requirements, and surface treatment. Materials are prone to oxidation at high temperatures, so exposed surfaces should be protected against rust and oxidation. DT4C has poor weather resistance and is prone to oxidation and rust in exposed environments, especially more pronounced in humid conditions, salt spray, sweat, acids and alkalis, or outdoor environments. Rust affects surface contact, assembly air gaps, and long-term magnetic circuit stability. For long-term use, humidity, or high-quality appearance requirements, it is recommended to apply blackening, phosphating, nickel plating, galvanizing, painting, rust prevention, or other surface protection; If customers require maintenance-free corrosion resistance, stainless steel or other protective solutions should be reevaluated, but differences in magnetic properties should be considered.

Alternative material selection and final judgment

When customer demand exceeds Electrical-Grade Pure Iron DT4C material boundaries, it is necessary to combine strength, temperature resistance, toughness, long-term stability, and mass production goals to promptly recommend alternative materials or processing technologies.

Alternative material suggestions

If higher structural strength is required, 45# steel, 40Cr, or low-alloy steel can be chosen, but their magnetic properties are usually inferior to DT4C; If higher corrosion resistance is required, stainless steel can be chosen, but most stainless steels have lower magnetic permeability than electrical pure iron; If a stacked magnetic core with lower loss is needed, silicon steel sheets can be chosen; If high-frequency magnetic cores are needed, ferrite, laminate alloy, or other specialized soft magnetic materials can be chosen; If only ordinary metal structural parts are made, you can choose Q235, 20# steel, or 45# steel.

Material selection suggestions

If the customer's core requirements are electromagnetic attraction, magnetic conductivity, magnetic circuit conduction, low coercivity, and high permeability, DT4C is the appropriate choice for electrical pure iron. If customers only have ordinary structural brackets, housings, or load-bearing parts, it is not recommended to prioritize DT4C; instead, Q235, 45# steel, aluminum alloy, or stainless steel can be chosen. If parts require long-term rust protection, outdoor use, or work in humid environments, DT4C should be used for surface protection or material solutions should be re-evaluated based on magnetic performance requirements.

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