Daido Steel’s Magnetic Steel Powder is Adopted Toyota Motors’ Prius

Daido Steel announced on Thursday the firm developed magnetic metal powder for reactor of hybrid car which reduces electric pressure of battery, and was adopted by a new version of Prius of Toyota Motors.

Hybrid system has pressure rise mechanism in drive division. Electric drive motor’s torque is increased by increase in direct current electric pressure of battery. Reactor is component of pressure rise mechanism. Iron core of reactor is magnetized. Iron core is made by magnetic steel sheet until now.

Iron core of reactor for a new Prius is produced by filling of magnetic steel powder in mold toll and by press forming. New reactor can raise electric pressure to 650 volt from 500 volt, and can be downsized by thin cupper wire. Magnetic steel powder was developed by high purity powder manufacturing technology and powder shape control technology, and can increase performance of car component and reduce production cost of component.

Daido Steel is building up non-special steel business, and aims market cultivation of magnetic steel powder for eco car or electronics field. The firm will encourage adoption of it for Toyota Motors, other car makers, appliance, personal computer or solar energy generation. The firm aims to increase the sales of magnetic steel powder to 1 billion yen in fiscal 2009 at ended March 2010 and of steel powder business to 5 billion yen. The firm aims to increase the sales of magnetic steel powder to 10 billion yen and of steel powder business to 25 billion yen at 5 years from now.