Breakthrough in Axial Flux Motor Research: Specialized Magnets Boost Performance

China has made new progress in the field of high-performance axial flux motors. Relevant research and development achievements were recently unveiled in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, jointly completed by Pangu Power and the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The specialized permanent magnet steel developed by both parties significantly improves compatibility with axial flux motors, achieving notable enhancements in key performance indicators such as magnetic energy product, high-temperature stability, and mechanical strength. Axial flux motors are characterized by high efficiency, high power/torque density, and long-term operational stability. With this specialized magnet steel, the resulting products achieve a better balance between peak performance and usage cost. This technological breakthrough supports China’s efforts to establish a fully independent and controllable axial flux electric drive industrial chain, accelerate large-scale market adoption, and compete with international advanced standards. Also known as disc motors or axial air-gap motors, axial flux motors feature an air gap and magnetic flux direction between stator and rotor that are parallel to the rotation axis. Although this configuration was proposed early on, it saw limited application due to a lack of suitable materials—until renewed interest emerged following advances in high-performance permanent magnet materials and brushless DC motor technologies. Today, sectors such as new energy vehicles (NEVs), low-altitude aircraft, and humanoid robots demand electric drive systems that are lighter, more compact axially, and highly efficient—requirements that position axial flux motors as a core next-generation electric drive technology. Compared with conventional motors, axial flux motors can reduce weight by approximately 50% and axial length by 50% while delivering equivalent performance. Mass-produced axial flux motors equipped with this specialized magnet steel achieve an effective power density of 25.73 kW/kg and exceed 18,000 rpm in maximum speed, with significantly enhanced durability and operational stability. These motors meet the demanding requirements of high-end NEVs—including high-speed cruising, rapid acceleration, and continuous operation—and help reduce vehicle energy consumption, extend driving range, and optimize chassis space utilization. The motors will be initially deployed in critical applications such as NEVs, humanoid robots, and low-altitude aircraft, addressing bottlenecks in power system performance upgrades and spatial integration for strategic emerging industries.