Experimental evaluation of magnetic anisotropy in electrical steel sheets

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new, simple and efficient method of electrical steel sheets and magnetic anisotropy investigation. The method is based on results of magnetic field strength measurements on the surface of electrical steel sheet magnetized along different directions at constant flux density. The measurements of magnetic field strength are performed using miniature magnetoresistive sensors. Due to the sensor size (comparable with grain size) it is possible to determine the local magnetic properties of electrical steel sheet. Unlike the Epstein frame, the proposed method is non-destructive and can be used for investigation of local magnetic properties as well as a way to determine plane distribution of magnetic anisotropy.