Rare Earth Magnets
RARE EARTH MAGNETS
INTRODUCTION | RARE EARTH MAGNET TYPES | INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS | RARE EARTH MAGNET PRODUCTS | FIND OUT MORE
Rare earth magnets are a symbol of precision and performance; widely used in technology, engineering
and commercial appliances are vital to many of the devices that enrich our lives.
INTRODUCTION
To fully understand rare earth magnets, it is important to understand what they are made of and where they come from. There are 17 elements in the periodic table included in the rare earth family, the fifteen elements known as lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. These seeds of technology have each played their part in the ceaseless development of hi-tech industries.
You might be surprised to know there are no fewer than eight of the 17 elements in your iPhone including neodymium, dysprosium, and praseodymium all of which are used in the alloys used to create rare earth magnets along with the element samarium.
Rare earth magnets are the strongest permanent magnets available and have significantly higher performance than ferrite (ceramic) and alnico magnets. The term ‘rare earth’ can be misleading as rare earth metals are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust. However, they are rarely found in their concentrated form, rather they are typically dispersed with other elements.
RARE EARTH MAGNET TYPES
There are two types of rare earth magnets, neodymium magnets (NdFeb) and samarium cobalt (SmCo) magnets. There are many different grades of each, all of which have different properties.
Samarium cobalt magnets were the first to be discovered in 1966 by Dr. Karl J. Strnat and are made from an alloy of samarium, cobalt, iron, copper, hafnium, zirconium, and praseodymium. Until the introduction of neodymium magnets, they were the strongest magnets available, they are extremely difficult to demagnetise, have high maximum operating temperatures, and have a high resistance to corrosion.
When neodymium magnets were discovered in 1982 by General Motors and Sumitomo Special Metals they took the title of the strongest permanent magnets available, which they retain to this day. Neodymium magnets are made from an alloy that mainly consists of neodymium, iron, and boron and, depending on the grade of the magnet being produced, varying amounts of dysprosium and praseodymium. Regular grades of neodymium have lower maximum operating temperatures than samarium cobalt magnets and are susceptible to corrosion if not coated.
INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS
Rare earth magnets are used when space is at a premium or the greatest possible magnetic pull is required. While they are vital for many technology, manufacturing, and engineering industries they are equally as popular for hobbies, crafts, and DIY due to their performance and affordability.
RARE EARTH MAGNET PRODUCTS
Rare earth magnets can be manufactured as small as 1mm diameter by 1mm thick, right up to an 80mm diameter by 65mm thick magnet capable of lifting 150kg. Click the below categories to explore our range of rare earth magnets.
COUNTERSUNK
CIRCULAR DISC
HOOK & EYEBOLT
CYLINDRICAL ROD
CIRCULAR RING
RECTANGULAR
SELF-ADHESIVE
POT & CLAMPING
FIND OUT MORE...
Want to know about rare earth magnets?
Read our range of technical articles covering everything from how rare earth magnets are made to their common real-world applications.
For help and advice choosing the right rare earth magnet for your application call our technical experts today on
0800 408 0288 | sales@first4magnets.com
HOW ARE NEODYMIUM MAGNETS MADE?
The main ingredients of a neodymium magnet are neodymium itself, iron, and boron; the chemical compound known as NdFeb...
GRADES OF NEODYMIUM MAGNETS
Confused by what all the different letters and number in a grade’s name mean? Here, we will explain the difference in grades of neodymium...
COMMON APPLICATIONS OF NEODYMIUM MAGNETS
Since the creation of the first neodymium magnet, they have been used for many purposes. Industries such as electrical motor manufacture...
HOW ARE SAMARIUM COBALT MAGNETS MADE?
Because of their thermal stability, samarium cobalt magnets are the magnet of choice for many demanding applications such as motors...
GRADES OF SAMARIUM COBALT MAGNETS
The two main groups of samarium cobalt magnets are known as Sm1Co5 and Sm2Co17 but commonly referred to as 1-5 and 2-17...
COMMON APPLICATIONS OF SAMARIUM COBALT MAGNETS
Samarium cobalt magnets are not as powerful as super-strong neodymium magnets but they do have some significant advantages...