Abstract

Two main groups of commercial ferrites are emphasized; the soft magnetic spinel ferrites having as the most important representatives MnZn-, NiZn-, and MgZn-ferrites; and the hard magnetic hexagonal M-type ferrites having as the main representatives BaM- and SrM-ferrites. These materials are primarily ceramics. The cubic spinel and the hexagonal M-type crystal structures produce differing magnetic and electrical properties, which result from electron configurations and mutual interactions of the constituent ions. Properties can be optimized for specific applications in the areas of consumer electronics, telecommunication, power conversion, and the automotive industry. Optimum ceramic processing, often including microstructural engineering, is required to obtain fine-tunings of the various parameters for ferrite applications.