Have you been thinking about using magnetism in a new product? Magnetism is a valuable force with many practical applications. However, it does have one significant flaw. Magnetism is a comparatively weak force. When you are looking for a magnet for a new application or even to repair an existing piece of equipment, it can be difficult to know whether the magnet you have chosen will be strong enough for the intended application. Before you start looking for a magnet, it is helpful to understand that there are several types of magnets in common use and you must select the right one if you want your product to function correctly.
Ferrite magnets
The most common magnets available for purchase are ferrite or alnico magnets. These are the magnets you may remember from school science lessons where you first learned about the power of magnetic force. Ferrite magnets are widely used in industry, but they are not especially strong. If you want a magnet with a greater amount of magnetic pull, you must look at rare-earth magnets instead.
Neodymium magnets
Neodymium magnets are the most common rare earth magnets available today, commonly the neodymium will be alloyed with iron and boron. These magnets are produced in a range of grades which can make them suitable for working across a variety of environmental conditions and temperatures. These magnets have existed for many years, but have only been commercially available in more recent times.
Who uses neodymium magnets?
There will be a lot of times that a conventional ferrite magnet will be perfectly sufficient for your operating requirements, but there will be times when they don't have the right characteristics. Rare earth magnets are commonly used commercially for two reasons. Firstly, they offer a higher magnetic pull, but secondly, and crucially, they provide this higher magnetic pull in a much smaller package than would be possible with a ferrite magnet. The smaller size and lighter nature of rare earth magnets have enabled them to find a home in industries as diverse as food production and underwater exploration. In the transport industry, you might find rare earth magnets in your bicycle dynamo, but you could also see them keeping a maglev train moving down the track. To identify the most suitable magnet for your application, it's best to discuss the characteristics that you need with your supplier. They can show you the grade of rare earth magnet that would perform best in your situation.
For more information about rare earth magnets, contact a local seller.
