Neodymium magnets are permanent magnets (i.e. they generate their own magnetic field) made from an alloy of the metallic elements neodymium, iron and boron.
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Neodymium magnets in the UK are the strongest commercially available magnets, meaning that they can lift objects many times their weight. They are widely used as positioning, pulling and clamping components in sectors such as engineering, manufacturing, education, research and industry.
These magnets are sometimes also referred to as rare earth neodymium magnets or rare earth magnets. This is because neodymium is a rare earth metal, a subset of seventeen chemically similar elements. However, the latter term should be used with caution in this context as it can also refer to more specialist magnets made from a different rare earth mineral called samarium.
Neo magnets are the strongest commercially available magnets. Their pull force is typically over ten times that of more familiar ceramic (ferrite) magnets.
These powerful magnets combine high coercivity with a high maximum energy product. In other words, they produce a dense magnetic field that will resist decay.
There are two principal ways that neodymium magnets can be made - sintering or bonding. Each refers to a different manufacturing process, as detailed below:
Strong neodymium magnets are usually manufactured by sintering because sintered types are typically about double the strength of their bonded counterparts. Conversely, bonded NIB magnets are typically more versatile and affordable. This is because bonded neodymium magnets can be formed into a wide range of different sizes and shapes as required, whereas sintered magnets are confined to comparatively simple shapes as they can be quite brittle.
Neodymium magnets are produced in a variety of specifications, sizes and versatile designs for different applications.
Some of the most common shapes include:
Other shapes include discs, bars, blocks and pots. Both counterbore and countersink varieties are widely available.
As these magnets are so powerful, smaller sizes are usually sufficient for many applications. However, large neodymium magnets are also available for specialist tasks.
When measuring sizes, you should consider:
In comparison to other types of permanent magnet, NdFeB has:
Neodymium is versatile and can be used for a multitude of different tasks. Due to its high-strength, high-performance magnetic properties, it is primarily used for more demanding and heavy-duty commercial and industrial applications.
Typical uses could include:
Neodymium disc or ring magnets are often used for positioning, fastening and fixing components as the threaded hole in the ring allows secure mating. This is ideal in scenarios where one electrical component needs to be securely attached to another.
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NdFeB magnets are sensitive to high temperatures and will lose their charge if exposed to these for a significant period. They have a comparatively low Curie temperature - approximately 80℃. However, without exposure to high temperatures, neodymium magnets will retain their charge for a very long time, losing as little as 5% every 100 years.
In optimal conditions, without excessive exposure to high temperatures or corrosive environments, neodymium magnets will retain most of their magnetic charge for hundreds of years.
No. Neodymium is a hard, brittle substance with a texture like glass. It will chip and break if grinding is attempted.
No. Drilling will produce potentially hazardous dust and raise the magnet's temperature which could encourage demagnetisation. It will also remove the anticorrosive coating from the drilled area. Neodymium ring magnets are a handy solution to this as they already have a central hole for easy use.
Sintered NdFeB magnets are vulnerable to corrosion, with graining along the metals especially prone to erosion. At its worst, corrosion can induce serious powdering or fragmentation of the entire magnet. To address this, most commercial neodymium magnets feature a protective outer coating for resistance to atmospheric wear. This is typically made from nickel, a copper-nickel alloy, polymer or lacquer.
As they are sensitive to both high temperatures and corrosion, neodymium magnets should be stored in a mild environment with low humidity. To minimise the accumulation of atmospheric particles on either the magnets themselves or their outer packaging, it is recommended to store them in closed, dust-free containers, within the original manufacturer’s wrapping if possible.
One of the most important factors to weigh while selecting NdFeB magnets is their magnetic strength. Usually expressed in Mega Gauss Oersteds (MGOe), magnetic strength is the energy product of the magnet—that is, its fundamentally stored magnetic energy capacity. When you require a magnet to operate under severe conditions, a higher MGOe rating indicates the magnet is stronger. With N52 the highest strength, the most often occurring NdFeB magnet grades are N35, N40, N45, N50, and N52. Applications like electric motors or renewable energy systems where a great force is needed call for stronger magnets. Stronger magnets do, however, also tend to be more costly, hence, it’s important to weigh application requirements with cost and strength.
NdFeB magnets’ size and form can vary significantly, and they drastically affect their efficiency and useability. Each of these magnets—which range in form from discs, cylinders, blocks, spheres, rings, and arcs—serves a different need. For small spaces or motors, for example, disc-shaped magnets are common; for uses requiring longer and more slender magnets, such as generators, cylindrical magnets are best. Large machines and MRI equipment frequently have block-shaped magnets; spherical magnets are mostly utilized for ornamental purposes or sensing. Proper efficiency depends on the field distribution and performance of the magnet, hence, choosing the right form for your application is essential.
When NdFeB magnets are employed in surroundings with varying or high temperatures, in particular, their temperature tolerance becomes a major consideration. Sensitive to heat, neodymium magnets lose their magnetism at temperatures above their Curie point. Though the particular grade of the magnet determines the Curie temperature, it usually falls between 200°C and 330°C. A magnet may lose its magnetic qualities permanently if its temperature is raised above this range. Choosing a magnet with a higher temperature tolerance is absolutely essential for both industrial and automotive uses to guarantee ongoing performance. Certain NdFeB magnets are made especially to function in high-temperature conditions, hence they are perfect for use in motors, generators, and other equipment running at high temperatures.
A NdFeB magnet’s magnetic strength—which is expressed by a mix of letters and numbers—defines its grade. Among the most often occurring grades are N35, N40, N45, N50, and N52. Measuring the magnetic strength, the value indicates the maximum energy product in MGOe (Mega Gauss Oersteds). In high-demand applications such as electric motors, medical devices, and renewable energy systems, N52 is, for example, the strongest and most often utilized grade.
When deciding on a grade, take weight of the thing you will be supporting and the forces your magnet will need to resist into account. Though more expensive, higher grade magnets will provide better performance.
Often used for decoration, spherical magnets find value in particular sensor technologies as well. For uses requiring symmetric magnetic qualities, its homogeneous form offers constant magnetic strength throughout all surfaces. Common decorative objects like refrigerator magnets and some sensor applications where a balanced magnetic field is a crucial feature these magnets. Though it may not always be as strong as other forms like bricks or discs, the round form lets one handle and put objects with ease. When a homogeneous field is required all around the magnet, spherical magnets are most effective.
Unique in its hollow center, ring magnets are perfect for uses requiring a magnetic field to encircle a central location. Where the hollow center can be passed through wires or other components, these magnets are extensively employed in generators, sensors, and electric motors. Strong magnetic force is produced and mechanical movement is made possible by the ring form, allowing effective integration into spinning machinery. Particularly in dynamic surroundings where the magnet may have to interact with other spinning components, the configuration of the ring magnet also enables more exact control over the magnetic field. Perfect for specific uses requiring both strength and flexibility are ring magnets.
NdFeB magnetic performance can be much influenced by temperature. The Curie temperature is the phenomenon whereby these magnets lose their magnetic qualities at specific temperatures. While most NdFeB magnets work effectively between 80°C (176°F), greater temperatures might cause strength to drop.
If your application calls for high-temperature operation, give magnets with more temperature tolerance some thought. Special grades of NdFeB magnets exist that resist temperatures between 200°C and 330°C without losing their magnetic.
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