Hysteresis and eddy losses in single crystals of an alloy of iron and silicon

The total energy dissipated, in an alternating magnetic field, in single crystals of iron containing 2.1% silicon has been measured calorimetrically. Results are given for the field applied in the three crystallographic directions [100], [110], [111]. The total losses are separated into the conventional "hysteresis" and "eddy" components by means of measurements at different frequencies. The "eddy" losses do not appear to be dependent on direction; the "hysteresis" losses for [100] are about one-third of those for the other directions measured. A tentative explanation is suggested.