What is soft Iron and where can i buy it in bar form?

Question

Can anyone help?

I have been trawling the internet trying to find the relevant information. I am trying to make a large electro magnet and was told the best material for the Yolk and pole pieces was "Soft Iron". I am in the uk and need to know how to find a stockholder or some where that will sell me some.

Answer 1

electromagnet, you can buy a 9" nail from Ace hardware (its the biggest nail they got) and wind magnet wire around it. If you have a 100 volt unrestricted power source, it'll be extremely powerful. Nail are steel but works well anyway. don't bother for soft iron. they're generally specially made and can be expensive.

Answer 2

Soft iron is pure iron. It is 98 to 99.99 % pure. This makes it softer than impure iron. That is why it is called Soft iron or wrought iron.