Magnetic and dielectric properties of rubber composites are controlled by using two kinds of high-permeability metal particles with different electrical conductivity (Sendust, Permalloy), and their effect on microwave absorbance has been investigated, focusing on the quasi-microwave frequency band (0.8-2 GHz). Noise absorbing sheets are composite materials of magnetic flake particles of high aspect ratio dispersed in polymer matrix with various filler amount of 80-90 wt.%. The frequency dispersion and magnitude of complex permeability is almost the same for Sendust and Permalloy composite specimens. However, the complex permittivity of the Permalloy composite (, ) is much greater than that of Sendust composite (, ). Due to the large dielectric permittivity of Permalloy composite, the absorbing band is shifted to lower frequency region. However, the investigation of impedance matching reveals that the magnetic permeability is still small to satisfy the zero-reflected condition at the quasi-microwave frequency band, resulting in a small microwave absorbance lower than 10 dB.

Perovskite manganites such as RE1-xAxMnO3 (RE = rare earth, A = Ca, Sr, Ba) have been the subject of intense research in the last few years, ever since the discovery that these systems demonstrate colossal magnetoresistance (CMR). The CMR is usually explained with the double-exchange (DE) mechanism, and CMR materials have potential applications for magnetic switching, recording devices, and more. However, the intrinsic CMR effect is usually found under the conditions of a magnetic field of several Teslas and a narrow temperature range near the Curie temperature (Tc). This magnetic field and temperature range make practical applications impossible. Recently, another type of MR, called the low-field magnetoresistance(LFMR), has also been a research focus. This MR is typically found in polycrystalline half-metallic ferromagnets, and is associated with the spin-dependent charge transport across grain boundaries. Composites with compositions La0.7(Ca1-xSrx)0.3MnO3)]0.99/(BaTiO3)0.01 [(LCSMO)0.99/(BTO)0.01]were prepared with different Sr doping levels x by a standard ceramic technique, and their electrical transport and magnetoresistance (MR) properties were investigated. The structure and morphology of the composites were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). BTO peaks could not be found in the XRD pattern because the amount of BTO in the composites was too small. As the content of x decreased, the crystal structure changed from orthorhombic to rhombohedral. This change can be explained by the fact that the crystal structure of pure LCMO is orthorhombic and the crystal structure of pure LSMO is rhombohedral. The SEM results indicate that LCSMO and BTO coexist in the composites and BTO mostly segregates at the grain boundaries of LCSMO, which are in accordance with the results of the magnetic measurements. The resistivity of all the composites was measured in the range of 90-400K at 0T, 0.5T magnetic field. The result indicates that the MR of the composites increases systematically as the Ca concentration increases, although the transition temperature Tc shifts to a lower range.

On the base of experience in development of Magnetic Powder Composites, and particularly Soft Magnetic Composites, authors are trying to systematize classification and indicate possible development prospective of Magnetic Nanocomposites (MN) technology and their applications in electrical converters. Clear classification and systematization, at an early stage of any materials and technology development, are essential and lead for better understanding and communication between researchers and industry involved. This concern MN as well and it seems to be the right time to make it at present stage of their development. Presented proposal of classification distinguishes various types of MN by their magnetic properties and area of possible applications. It is not a close set of types, and can be extended due to increase of knowledge concern these nanocomposites.

Influences of machining on magnetic properties of soft magnetic composites (SMC's) with addition of two kinds of binder, i.e., organic binder and inorganic one, were investigated. Machining does not affect DC magnetic properties of the SMC compacts. This can be ascribed to their particular structure in which the ironpowder particles are highly isolated by the binder. On the other hand, decrease in resistivity and resultant increase in eddy current loss was confirmed in the machined compacts containing inorganic binder. It is supposed that the brittleadditive binder existing between the iron particles is partly broken, and iron-to-iron contact is formed on the machined surface.