electromagnet container question...

[Goosemaster]

Hi,

Assuming that I were to create a small solenoid-based electromagnet and would like to shield it from the elements, keep it undamaged etc, what would be a good material to start with to accomplish this without disrupting the magnetic field to much...?

My goal is to have a tube with two terminals at the end to serve as the contact points (probably little solid copper cylinders that touch the endpoints of the wires inside., but to keep the solenoid portion sealed. Basically, I want it to resemble a battery with plastic caps at the ends to allow me to hold it when on.

I want to make it from scratch btw

Basically, should I lean towards a conductor or an insulator...?
Or perhaps some sort of plastic mesh thing?



lateral views
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front view
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[FoBoT]

AB foam?

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
AB foam?

lol....seriously though...that would work if it didn't act like an insulator

 

[dighn]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: FoBoT
AB foam?

lol....seriously though...that would work if it didn't act like an insulator

why does that matter? you'll just be putting your solenoid inside right? anyway anything that's not ferromagnetic should not affect the field noticeable. just don't use metal if you are gonna run a changing current through it or you'll get some inductive losses/heating.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

You'd want to use a "keeper". Basically instead of allowing the flux to permeate everywhere, you force it to take a path of least resistance.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: dighn

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: FoBoT
AB foam?

lol....seriously though...that would work if it didn't act like an insulator

why does that matter? you'll just be putting your solenoid inside right? anyway anything that's not ferromagnetic should not affect the field noticeable. just don't use metal if you are gonna run a changing current through it or you'll get some inductive losses/heating.

I guess I could put it in a mold then fill it up; or just put it on and then trim it to make a cylinder, right?

BTW, I thought you were referencing last night's MythBusters episode

Originally posted by: WhoBeDaPlaya
You'd want to use a "keeper". Basically instead of allowing the flux to permeate everywhere, you force it to take a path of least resistance.

So a partially-permeable membrane, such as plastic mesh would work?