N87
N87 is a European-origin Mn-Zn power ferrite used across multiple manufacturers for transformer and inductor cores in switching power supplies.
Reference datasheet — N87 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the SINT-STD condition
N87 tempers and conditions
N87 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. SINT-STD is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Centre-leg ground air gap | Pick when DC bias must be handled (flyback / PFC choke): ground gap sets a stable, low-tolerance A_L value. | 28 | 0 | 600 HV | 4 W/m·K | |
SINT-STDDefault as-sintered core with ground/lapped mating faces (ungapped) | Default choice for power transformers: highest effective permeability, lowest loss, mating faces lapped for minimum residual gap. | 30 | 0 | 600 HV | 4 W/m·K |
What is N87?
N87 is a European-origin Mn-Zn power ferrite used across multiple manufacturers for transformer and inductor cores in switching power supplies. It is bought as sintered (SINT-STD), pre-gapped (GAP) and coated cores in E, ETD, PQ, planar and toroid shapes, with density about 4.85 g/cm³ and rated service to 200 °C. Post-firing shaping is limited to wet diamond grinding or lapping (machinability 8), and 15–20 % firing shrinkage means the press tool defines the geometry. PC40 and 3C90 are the usual cross-reference grades. N87 has a density of 4.85 g/cm³ (0.175 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of ceramic grades. N87 has a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi), weaker than 77% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 150 GPa (21.8 Msi).
What is N87 used for?
- power transformer cores
- choke cores
- SMPS designs
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 81% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 84% of ceramic grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 79% of ceramic grades
N87 properties
Typical room-temperature values for N87-SINT-STD; bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical2
N87 has a density of 4.85 g/cm³ (0.175 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of ceramic grades.
Mechanical11
N87 has a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi), weaker than 77% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 150 GPa (21.8 Msi).
Thermal5
N87 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 4 W/m·K (2.31 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 68% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 10 µm/m·K (5.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
N87 has an electrical resistivity of 10 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 59% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of N87 takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 84% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability3
N87's machinability is not recommended (8/100, better than 69% of ceramic grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the ceramic family
Yield strength against density for every ceramic grade FabDigit runs. N87 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with N87
Is N87 easy to machine?
Sintered ferrite is only diamond-ground or lapped (wet, low feed); it chips at edges and dust is abrasive — all shaping is done in the green/pressed state.
Can N87 be welded?
Not weldable; core halves are joined by clamps, spring clips or epoxy bonding of the lapped mating faces.
Can N87 be formed, bent or molded?
Made by dry pressing (or extrusion for toroids/rods) of spray-dried MnZn powder then sintering at ~1300–1400 °C under controlled oxygen partial pressure; allow ~15–20 % firing shrinkage.
N87 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Fe2O3≈52 mol% Fe2O3 typical for power MnZn | 68 – 74 | 71 |
| MnOas Mn3O4 in the raw mix | 18 – 24 | 21 |
| ZnOsets Curie point / permeability | 6 – 10 | 7.5 |
| CaO + SiO2 + Co3O4 (dopants)grain-boundary resistivity and loss-minimum tuning | 0.05 – 1 | 0.5 |
What surface finishes work on N87?
Mating faces lapped to minimise residual gap; toroids get parylene or epoxy coating for edge protection and winding insulation — no plating or painting is used.
How much does N87 cost?
N87 is a premium-cost ceramic ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
N87 — frequently asked
What is N87 used for?
N87 is typically used for power transformer cores, choke cores and SMPS designs. In short: multi-supplier power ferrite; 200 °C rated service; low loss for SMPS cores.
What is the tensile strength of N87?
N87 has a typical tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — weaker than 77% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is N87 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, better than 69% of ceramic grades). Sintered ferrite is only diamond-ground or lapped (wet, low feed); it chips at edges and dust is abrasive — all shaping is done in the green/pressed state.
Can N87 be welded?
Not weldable; core halves are joined by clamps, spring clips or epoxy bonding of the lapped mating faces.
What surface finishes work on N87?
Mating faces lapped to minimise residual gap; toroids get parylene or epoxy coating for edge protection and winding insulation — no plating or painting is used.
Can N87 be formed, bent or molded?
Made by dry pressing (or extrusion for toroids/rods) of spray-dried MnZn powder then sintering at ~1300–1400 °C under controlled oxygen partial pressure; allow ~15–20 % firing shrinkage.
What is the maximum service temperature of N87?
N87 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does N87 cost?
N87 is a premium-cost ceramic ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Ferrites and Accessories — Material N87 data sheet — TDK Electronics (EPCOS) (2023)
- Soft Ferrites and Accessories — Data Handbook — Ferroxcube (2013)
- Power ferrite materials DMR95/DMR96 datasheet — DMEGC (2023)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4 — Ceramics and Glasses (ferrite section) — ASM International (1991)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.