PC40 CN-EQ
Grade
CN-EQ = domestic PC40-equivalent power ferrite
Cost-driven Chinese-made equivalent — same μi/Bs class but wider loss and A_L tolerance; suitable for consumer SMPS.
Values for the CN-EQ condition
What is PC40 CN-EQ?
PC40 CN-EQ is PC40 in the CN-EQ grade — cost-driven Chinese-made equivalent — same μi/Bs class but wider loss and A_L tolerance; suitable for consumer SMPS. PC40 CN-EQ 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). PC40 CN-EQ has a density of 4.75 g/cm³ (0.172 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of ceramic grades.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 90% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 110°C (230 °F), worse than 96% of ceramic grades
- Hard to polish — 55/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades
PC40 CN-EQ properties
Typical room-temperature values for PC40 CN-EQ; 5 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PC40 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical2
PC40 CN-EQ has a density of 4.75 g/cm³ (0.172 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of ceramic grades.
Mechanical10
PC40 CN-EQ 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 CN-EQ is rated for continuous service to 110°C (230 °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 CN-EQ has an electrical resistivity of 5 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 59% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of PC40 CN-EQ 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 CN-EQ's machinability is not recommended (12/100, better than 78% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PC40 CN-EQ
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.
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.
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) |
PC40 CN-EQ — frequently asked
What is PC40 CN-EQ used for?
PC40 CN-EQ 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 CN-EQ?
PC40 CN-EQ has a typical tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — weaker than 77% of ceramic grades.
Is PC40 CN-EQ 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 CN-EQ be welded?
Not weldable; halves are joined with clips, tape or epoxy bonding of lapped faces.
What surface finishes work on PC40 CN-EQ?
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 CN-EQ 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 CN-EQ?
PC40 CN-EQ is rated for continuous use to about 110°C (230 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.