Magnetic Permeability Calculator

Magnetic permeability is a material's ability to support the formation of a magnetic field within itself. It describes how much magnetic flux density (B) is produced for a given magnetic field strength (H). The higher the permeability, the better the material can be magnetized.

Absolute permeability (μ) is the actual permeability of a material measured in H/m. Relative permeability (μᵣ) is the ratio of a material's permeability to the permeability of free space (μ₀), making it dimensionless and easier to compare materials.

Magnetic susceptibility (χ) measures how much a material will become magnetized in an applied magnetic field. It's related to permeability by χ = μᵣ - 1, where μᵣ is the relative permeability. Positive values indicate paramagnetic materials, negative values indicate diamagnetic materials.

Diamagnetic materials (like copper) have μᵣ < 1, paramagnetic materials (like aluminum) have μᵣ slightly > 1, and ferromagnetic materials (like iron) can have μᵣ values in the thousands. Superconductors have μᵣ = 0.

Magnetic flux density (B) is measured using a gaussmeter or teslameter, while magnetic field strength (H) can be calculated from the magnetizing current and geometry, or measured with specialized H-field probes. Both measurements are needed to calculate permeability.

The permeability of free space (μ₀) is a fundamental physical constant with a value of 4π × 10⁻⁷ H/m (approximately 1.257 × 10⁻⁶ H/m). This serves as the reference point for relative permeability calculations.

Superconductors expel magnetic fields through the Meissner effect, creating surface currents that generate an opposing magnetic field. This results in zero net magnetic field inside the superconductor, giving it an effective permeability of zero and enabling magnetic levitation.