This study investigates the thermal behaviour of a single-sided axial flux electric motor stator composed of a soft magnetic composite (SMC) material through experimental characterization and lumped parameter thermal modelling. With increasing demands for compact and high-power-density motor designs, effective thermal management becomes critical to ensure reliability and performance.

The research focuses on both DC and AC loading conditions, employing a spatially resolved sensor network to capture detailed temperature distributions across stator components such as windings, yoke, and teeth. A two-stage modelling approach was implemented: an initial single-node thermal network validated basic assumptions, followed by a refined multi-node model capable of simulating transient and spatial thermal behaviour with high fidelity.

Experimentally determined thermal conductivities and convection coefficients, alongside a tailored nodal network, enabled the accurate prediction of temperature evolution. Validation against experimental data showed a maximum absolute error of under 10 °C, with coil temperature predictions consistently within 5 °C.

The model successfully incorporated AC iron losses using the Steinmetz equation, demonstrating applicability to dynamic operating scenarios. This work establishes a validated, adaptable methodology for thermal analysis of axial flux electric machine stators, supporting future design optimization and thermal management strategies.