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Magnet Information

  1. What is neodymium?
    Neodymium (Nd) is the element with an atomic weight of 60. You will find it in the lanthanide or rare earth section of the periodic table.
  2. What are neodymium magnets and how are they made?
    Neodymium magnets are the strongest permanent magnets in the world. They are composed of Neodymium Iron and Boron. They are also known as Neo, NIB, or NdFeB magnets.
  3. How do they compare to other magnets? Are they the strongest?
    Yes, Neodymium magnets are much stronger than any other permanent magnet available today. Neodymium magnets are about 10 times stronger than cerramic or ferrite magnets.
  4. What does the grade or rating of the magnets mean?
    Neodymium magnetic material comes in different grades with different capabilities. In general, the grades balance the thermal capabilities of the material with the maximum energy product.
  5. Do neodymium magnets require a keeper?
    No, Neodymium magnets will retain their strength for a lifetime without a keeper of any kind.
  6. How do I identify the poles of the magnet?
    You can use a compass, a gauss meter, or an already identified pole of another magnet.
  7. Is one pole stronger than the other?
    No, both poles have the same surface gauss.
  8. Can you make a magnet with only one pole?
    No, as far as we know this is completely impossible.
  9. How is the strength of magnets measured?
    Gaussmeters are used to measure the magnetic field density at the surface of the magnet. This is referred to as the surface field and is measured in Gauss. Sometimes it is measured in Tesla. Pull Force Testers are used to test the holding force of a magnet that is in contact with a flat steel plate.
  10. What is pull force and how is it measured?
    The force required to pull a magnet free from a flat steel plate using force perpendicular to the surface.
  11. Does a pull force of 50 lbs. Mean that the magnet will hold a 50 lb. Object?
    Yes, 50 lbs would be the maximum weight the magnet can hold. Shear force would be about 18 lbs.
  12. Is it possible to do anything to a magnet to make it stronger?
    In some applications it makes sense to focus the magnetic field into a more useful shape. This usually means reallocating flux density from an unused area to a used area (such as from the backside of the magnet to the topside). While this does not technically add any flux density to the overall magnetic circuit, it does make a certain part of the magnetic field stronger.
  13. Will stacking my magnets make them stronger?
    Yes. Stacking magnets does improve the measured surface gauss up to a certain ratio between diameter and thickness. Stacking magnets beyond a ratio of 1:4 will not produce any additional surface gauss.
  14. Will neodymium magnets lose their strength with time?
    No, neodymium magnets will last a lifetime.
  15. How do I separate large magnets that are stuck together?
    The best methods for separating magnets involve sliding one magnet across the other. A good technique is to place one magnet on the edge of a strong table or countertop and push down on the other magnet which should extend beyond the countertop. Make sure there are no ferrous parts below the countertop to interfere with the free magnet once it breaks loose.
  16. What materials are magnets attracted to?
    Magnets are attracted to ferrous metals, mostly iron and steel.
  17. What materials are magnets not attracted to?
    Stainless steel, brass, copper, aluminum, gold, silver.
  18. What are the different types of coatings used?
    Nickel, Epoxy, Gold, Zinc, Plastic or combinations.
  19. Why would you use one coating over another?
    Nickel is the most durable and cost effective.
  20. Do you have magnets without a coating?
    Yes, we have several unplated magnets.
  21. Can I use glue or adhesives on any of the coatings?
    Yes, you can use glue or adhesives with any of the cloatings. Epoxy coatings seem to be preferred for gluing.
  22. Can I paint over the magnets?
    Not effectively, but you can coat them with plasti-dip.
  23. Can I solder or weld on to the magnets?
    Not at all. The heat will ruin the magnets.
  24. Can I machine, cut or drill the magnets?
    Nope. The magnets will most likely chip or fracture. There is even a small possibility that the metal powder will ignite.
  25. Will extreme temperatures affect the magnets?
    Yes. Magnets rely on atomic particles keeping a specific and rigid position. Heat introduces molecular movement which will eventually disrupt orientation of the atomic domains.
  26. What is Curie Temperature?
    The temperature at which the magnet will loose 100% of its ferromagnetic ability.
  27. What is the Maximum Operating Temperature?
    The temperature at which the magnet will begin losing its ferromagnetic ability.
  28. What should I do if my magnets crack or chip?
    The magnet will not lose its strength simply from a crack or a chip. Even if it breaks completely in half, you will simply have two magnets (with very sharp edges). If the magnets do end up with sharp, pointed or jagged edges we recommend throwing them away. If they are simply chipped or scraped up then they will probably be just fine. The biggest risk to a damaged magnet is corrosion.
  29. How do I clean metal dust off of my magnets?
    If you sweep the dust to one location on the magnet, you can use a damp paper towel in a dabbing motion to remove it from the magnet.
  30. Will neodymium magnets hurt my electronics or appliances?
    Theoretically yes. Practically speaking, probably not. The magnetic fields don't extend far enough, and the electronic devices are just not sensitive enough for this to be a common problem.
  31. Is there any health risk when handling neodymium magnets?
    The magnets do not have any adverse effect on the human body. Large magnets, however, can stop pacemakers.
  32. Are your magnets RoHS compliant?
    Yes, we can provide RoHS documentation upon request.
  33. Are there special shipping requirements for neodymium magnets?
    Yes, there are shipping requirements when shipping magnets via Air. Larger orders or orders with large magnets will have a metal shielding around the inside of the box.
  34. Where do you ship internationally?
    Yes, we ship internationally through UPS and USPS.
  35. Do you ship to an APO address?
    Yes, we ship priority mail to APO addresses.
  36. Can you ship magnets by air?
    Yes. Please see 33 for more information.
  37. Is there a minimum order?
    No minimum orders except on custom orders.
  38. Can you make custom magnets for me?
    Yes.
  39. Are there any limitations to ordering custom magnets?
    Yes, there may be some molding fees and minimum quantities.
  40. What is Ferro Fluid?
    A ferrofluid is a stable colloidal suspension of sub-domain magnetic particles in a liquid carrier. The particles, which have an average size of about 10 nm, are coated with a stabilizing dispersing agent (surfactant) which prevents particle agglomeration even when a strong magnetic field gradient is applied to the ferrofluid. The surfactant must be matched to the carrier type and must overcome the attractive van der Waals and magnetic forces between the particles. The colloid and thermal stabilities, crucial to many applications, are greatly influenced by the choice of the surfactant. A typical ferrofluid may contain by volume 5% magnetic solid, 10% surfactant and 85% carrier.
  41. How does Ferro Fluid work?
    In the absence of a magnetic field, the magnetic moments of the particles are randomly distributed and the fluid has no net magnetization. When a magnetic field is applied to a ferrofluid, the magnetic moments of the particles orient along the field lines almost instantly. The magnetization of the ferrofluid responds immediately to the changes in the applied magnetic field and when the applied field is removed, the moments randomize quickly. In a gradient field the whole fluid responds as a homogeneous magnetic liquid which moves to the region of highest flux. This means that ferrofluids can be precisely positioned and controlled by an external magnetic field. The forces holding the magnetic fluid in place are proportional to the gradient of the external field and the magnetization value of the fluid. This means that the retention force of a ferrofluid can be adjusted by changing either the magnetization of the fluid or the magnetic field in the region.
  42. What is Green Viewing Film?
    Magnetic field viewing film is used to visualize magnetic fields. It is a translucent paper-like substance which makes magnetic fields visible. Most are made from a plastic film that contains a ferromagnetic slurry of fine nickel particles that align themselves along magnetic field lines. Some varieties appear brighter green, while others turn darker black, when in the presence of perpendicular field lines. This enables visualization of the field strength and behavior.
  43. How does Green Viewing Film work?
    The general principle of operation is that magnetizable nickel particles are suspended in a colloidal form in a gelatinous material. This allows enough freedom for the particles to align with an externally applied magnetic field - thereby displacing the colored fluid and causing a color change at the surface of the film.