Magnetic Materials

Spinel and Hexagonal Ferrites

Insulating iron oxides — NiZn and MnZn spinels, BaFe12O19 hexaferrite — that carry magnetic flux without eddy losses. By tonnage, the most-produced magnetic materials on earth.

NiFe2O4 ZnFe2O4 BaFe12O19

At a glance

Class Statistics

Compounds Tracked

3,255

Multi-Source DFT

With Synthesis Routes

290

Avg. Agreement

1.00 / 1.00

Overview

What are Spinel and Hexagonal Ferrites?

Spinel and hexagonal ferrites represent a critical class of ceramic magnetic materials characterized by their unique combination of high electrical resistivity and significant magnetic permeability. Chemically, these materials are complex iron oxides, typically featuring a crystal structure derived from the mineral spinel or magnetoplumbite. In spinel ferrites, the structure consists of a cubic close-packed arrangement of oxygen ions with metal cations occupying specific interstitial sites. Common formulations include manganese-zinc and nickel-zinc compositions, which are engineered to minimize eddy current losses, making them indispensable for high-frequency applications. Hexagonal ferrites, such as barium hexaferrite, possess a more complex, layered crystal structure that imparts high magnetocrystalline anisotropy, rendering them ideal for permanent magnet applications. These materials are arguably the most produced magnetic substances globally by volume, serving as the backbone for modern electronics and power management. Their importance stems from their ability to guide magnetic flux efficiently while acting as electrical insulators, a property that traditional metallic magnets lack. By suppressing energy dissipation through eddy currents, ferrites enable the miniaturization and increased efficiency of inductors, transformers, and radio-frequency components. Beyond their role in power electronics, they are essential in microwave devices, data storage technologies, and electromagnetic interference shielding, where their tunable magnetic properties allow for precise control over signal propagation and noise suppression. As technology shifts toward higher frequencies and more compact power architectures, the strategic development of these ferrites remains a cornerstone of materials science, driving innovation in everything from consumer wireless chargers to industrial power conversion systems.

Members

Top Spinel and Hexagonal Ferrites

Ranked by data richness — literature synthesis coverage, multi-source DFT corroboration, and patent activity.

Formula	Band Gap	Best EAH (eV/atom)	Stability	DFT Sources	Recipes
Fe2NiO4	1.23–1.38 eV	0.0000	Metastable	1	137
Fe2O4Zn	0.67–1.69 eV	0.0000	On hull (stable)	—	95
SrFeO3	0.71–0.76 eV	0.0000	Stable	1	45
Sr2FeMoO6	0.44 eV	0.0102	Stable	1	39
FeCuO2	0.50–1.06 eV	0.0000	Stable	1	23
Fe2MgO4	0.15–1.99 eV	0.0000	On hull (stable)	—	56
Mg(FeO2)2	0.60–1.42 eV	0.0000	On hull (stable)	—	56
Fe2CoO4	0.69 eV	0.0000	Metastable	1	148
Fe2CuO4	0.24 eV	0.0000	Stable	1	63
Zn(FeO2)2	0.63–1.32 eV	0.0000	On hull (stable)	—	95
BaFe12O19	0.83–1.22 eV	0.0031	Near hull (likely stable)	—	132
FeMoO6Sr2	0.38–1.98 eV	0.0000	On hull (stable)	—	39
Mn(FeO2)2	0.24–0.83 eV	0.0000	On hull (stable)	—	23
CoFe2O4	0.54–1.55 eV	0.0102	Near hull (likely stable)	—	148
Fe2MnO4	0.57–1.32 eV	0.0000	On hull (stable)	—	23
Fe12O19Sr	1.03–1.14 eV	0.0725	Metastable	—	76
CuFeO2	0.82 eV	0.0000	On hull (stable)	—	23
Fe4NiO8Zn	1.14 eV	0.0412	Metastable	—	38
SrFe12O19	0.85 eV	0.0081	Near hull (likely stable)	—	76
ZnFe4NiO8	1.21 eV	0.0092	Near hull (likely stable)	—	38
BaFeO3	0.37–0.90 eV	0.0000	Stable	1	15
Fe1Mo1O6Sr2	1.53 eV	—	Not assessed	—	39
FeO3Sr	Metallic / not reported	0.0000	On hull (stable)	—	45
Cu1Fe1O2	0.84 eV	—	Not assessed	—	23
Fe4Mn2O8	0.79 eV	—	Not assessed	—	23
Fe4Mg2O8	1.45 eV	—	Not assessed	—	56
Fe8Mg4O16	0.74 eV	—	Not assessed	—	56
MgFe2O4	Metallic / not reported	0.0520	Metastable	1	56
ZnFe2O4	Metallic / not reported	0.0240	Stable	1	95
MnFe2O4	Metallic / not reported	0.0000	Stable	1	23
CuFe2O4	Metallic / not reported	0.0815	Metastable	—	63
Fe4O8Zn2	Metallic / not reported	—	Not assessed	—	95
Li2Mn3FeO8	0.05 eV	0.0000	Stable	1	15
Cu2Fe2O4	Metallic / not reported	—	Not assessed	—	23
Fe1O3Sr1	Metallic / not reported	—	Not assessed	—	45
Fe2O6Sr2	Metallic / not reported	—	Not assessed	—	45
Co2Fe4O8	Metallic / not reported	—	Not assessed	—	148
Fe4Ni2O8	Metallic / not reported	—	Not assessed	—	137
FeNi0.25O2Zn0.25	Metallic / not reported	—	Not assessed	—	38
Co1Fe2O4	Metallic / not reported	—	Not assessed	—	148
Cu1Fe2O4	Metallic / not reported	—	Not assessed	—	63
Fe2Mg1O4	Metallic / not reported	—	Not assessed	—	56
Fe2Mn1O4	Metallic / not reported	—	Not assessed	—	23
Fe2Ni1O4	Metallic / not reported	—	Not assessed	—	137
Fe2O4Zn1	Metallic / not reported	—	Not assessed	—	95
Cu2Fe4O8	Metallic / not reported	—	Not assessed	—	63
Fe24O38Sr2	Metallic / not reported	—	Not assessed	—	76
FeLi2Mn3O8	0.01–0.87 eV	0.0073	Near hull (likely stable)	—	15
Ba3Co2Fe24O41	Metallic / not reported	—	Not assessed	—	18
Ba2NbFeO6	1.63 eV	0.0021	Metastable	1	11

Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

How many spinel and hexagonal ferrites are in the database?

3,255 spinel and hexagonal ferrites are tracked, of which 0 have multi-source DFT validation and 290 have documented synthesis routes.

Related Material Classes

Rare-Earth Permanent Magnets Heusler Alloys

Screen spinel and hexagonal ferrites computationally

Evaluate stability, supply-chain risk, and patent whitespace before committing lab resources.

Explore the Platform →