Electric machine design for traction applications considering recycling aspects-review and new solution

With the expansion of the fleet of electric and hybrid electric vehicles worldwide, it is of interest to consider recycling aspects of the parts that are introduced in these new vehicles. This paper focuses on the design of electrical machines considering recycling of its components. The materials to consider are mainly copper, core materials such as lamination steel or iron, and permanent magnets. One design is suggested with a core material of soft magnetic composites which is very suitable for recycling as it is a brittle material and thus simplifies the access of the copper winding. The suggested design shows to have similar performance to a similar size and similar weight commercial permanent magnet electric machine made with steel lamination.