A rotary electromagnet with high pressure resistance based on axial stator division structure was proposed. Combined with the approaches of magnetic circuit analysis, numerical simulation and experimental study, the static and dynamic characteristics of electromagnet including torque-angle relationship, frequency response and step response were studied. The simulated frequency width was 115 Hz/-3 dB,80 Hz/-90° approximately and the simulated rise time for step response was about 15 ms. In order to validate the accuracy of theoretical results, a special test rig was built and experimental study was performed. The electromagnet has sinusoidal-like torque-angle characteristics whose maximum static torque reached about 0.19 N·m. And its experimental frequency width was 113 Hz/-3 dB, 65 Hz/-90° approximately and experimental rise time was about 18ms. The experimental results were in a close agreement with the simulated results. The electromagnet was appropriate to be used as the electro-mechanical converter of 2-D direct-drive digital proportional valve.