IEC 60373: Ferrite Core Mechanical Properties — Compressive Strength and Dimensional Stability

Crushed Magnetic Cores — One of the Most Common Mechanical Failures in SMPS

IEC 60373:1990 specifies ferrite core mechanical property testing. Ferrite is a brittle ceramic — under combined winding tension (hundreds to thousands of grams), impregnation varnish curing shrinkage, and thermal cycling stress, cores can develop microcracks or fracture. IEC 60373 uses three-point bending and compression testing to assess core mechanical strength.

TNLab — Ferrite cores are the classic “electrically excellent but mechanically fragile” material — mechanical design deserves equal attention to electromagnetic design.