PC40
PC40 is a manganese-zinc (Mn-Zn) soft ferrite grade formulated for low core loss at switch-mode frequencies, and it functions as a de-facto industry reference with cross-referenced equivalents from several core suppliers.
Reference datasheet — PC40 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.
PC40 tempers and conditions
PC40 is supplied in one standard condition, CN-EQ.
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PC40 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
GrD | Ground / lapped mating and gap faces | Surface finish |
STDDefault | Standard sintered core, as-fired surfaces | Standard supply |
What is PC40?
PC40 is a manganese-zinc (Mn-Zn) soft ferrite grade formulated for low core loss at switch-mode frequencies, and it functions as a de-facto industry reference with cross-referenced equivalents from several core suppliers. It is bought as pressed and sintered E, EE, ETD, PQ and toroid cores, in standard (STD), gapped (GrD) and cross-referenced equivalent (CN-EQ) forms, with sintered density about 4.8 g/cm³ and service to 120 °C. The material is hard, brittle and abrasive — only diamond grinding is possible after firing (machinability 12) — and shrinkage of 15–20 % means net shape must come from the press tool. PC44 is the choice when the switching frequency rises. PC40 has a density of 4.8 g/cm³ (0.173 lb/in³), lighter than 52% of ceramic grades. PC40 has a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi), weaker than 77% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 150 GPa (21.8 Msi).
What is PC40 used for?
- switch-mode power supply transformers
- inductor cores
- EMI filters
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 90% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 96% of ceramic grades
- Hard to polish — 55/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades
PC40 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical2
PC40 has a density of 4.8 g/cm³ (0.173 lb/in³), lighter than 52% of ceramic grades.
Mechanical10
PC40 has a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi), weaker than 77% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 150 GPa (21.8 Msi).
Thermal5
PC40 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °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
PC40 has an electrical resistivity of 6.5 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 59% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of PC40 takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability3
PC40's machinability is not recommended (12/100, better than 78% 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. PC40 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PC40
Is PC40 easy to machine?
Only diamond grinding, slicing and lapping with copious coolant — the material is hard, brittle and abrasive; never drill or tap.
Can PC40 be welded?
Not weldable; halves are joined with clips, tape or epoxy bonding of lapped faces.
Can PC40 be formed, bent or molded?
Net-shape route is dry uniaxial pressing (or extrusion for rods/tubes) of spray-dried powder, then sintering at ~1300 °C in controlled-oxygen atmosphere with ~15–20 % linear shrinkage.
PC40 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≈53 mol%; Fe²⁺ level tuned for the 80–100 °C loss minimum | 66 – 72 | 69 |
| ZnO≈11 mol%; sets Curie point and μi | 8 – 12 | 10 |
| CaOgrain-boundary resistive additive (ppm level) | ≈ 0.05 | 0.05 |
| SiO2grain-boundary resistive additive (ppm level) | ≈ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Co2O3/Nb2O5/Ta2O5trace loss-tuning dopants, producer dependent | ≈ 0.05 | 0.05 |
| MnO≈36 mol% | ≥ 17 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PC40?
Surfaces are left as-fired or lapped; parylene/epoxy coating or plastic bobbins are used for insulation and edge protection, and clamping stress must be minimized to avoid permeability loss and cracking.
How much does PC40 cost?
PC40 is a premium-cost ceramic ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PC40 — frequently asked
What is PC40 used for?
PC40 is typically used for switch-mode power supply transformers, inductor cores and EMI filters. In short: de-facto standard power ferrite; low loss at SMPS frequencies; widely cross-referenced grade.
What is the tensile strength of PC40?
PC40 has a typical tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — weaker than 77% of ceramic grades.
Is PC40 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, better than 78% of ceramic grades). Only diamond grinding, slicing and lapping with copious coolant — the material is hard, brittle and abrasive; never drill or tap.
Can PC40 be welded?
Not weldable; halves are joined with clips, tape or epoxy bonding of lapped faces.
What surface finishes work on PC40?
Surfaces are left as-fired or lapped; parylene/epoxy coating or plastic bobbins are used for insulation and edge protection, and clamping stress must be minimized to avoid permeability loss and cracking.
Can PC40 be formed, bent or molded?
Net-shape route is dry uniaxial pressing (or extrusion for rods/tubes) of spray-dried powder, then sintering at ~1300 °C in controlled-oxygen atmosphere with ~15–20 % linear shrinkage.
What is the maximum service temperature of PC40?
PC40 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PC40 cost?
PC40 is a premium-cost ceramic ($$$), 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
- Ferrite Materials Characteristics — PC40 power material — TDK Corporation (2023)
- Soft Ferrites and Accessories Data Handbook — Ferroxcube (2013)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4 — Ceramics and Glasses (ferrites) — 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.