How to Separate Strong Magnets?

You are probably here because you are wondering how to separate neodymium magnets stuck together. Alternatively, you are curious about neodymium magnets. Your interest has brought you to this article.

Separating strong neodymium magnets that are stuck together is frustrating. It would be best if you were discreet in separating these neodymium magnets.

The following piece will teach you how to achieve these results effortlessly. Whether you are dealing with large, small, or medium neodymium magnets doesn’t matter. We got you covered.

But before that, you need to understand what is a neodymium magnet.

Let’s dive right in.

What is a Neodymium Magnet?

A neodymium magnet is a rare type of earth magnet. The neodymium magnet is made from iron, boron, and neodymium alloy.

They are the strongest permanent neodymium magnets commercially available worldwide. Unlike other types of magnets like Ferrite, Samarium cobalt magnets, and Alnico, they have unparallel levels of magnetism.

Their magnetic energy is 18 times greater than other magnets in volume and 12 times greater in mass. Thus, they are highly resistant to demagnetization.

The neodymium magnets are used in medical science, electrical motor manufacture, medical science, technology, and renewable energy.

How to Separate Strong Neodymium Magnets?

Neodymium magnets pull towards each other with a strong force. If you need to separate one neodymium magnet from the other, you will need more than double the force each has. It’s even more challenging when separating large and medium neodymium magnets.

Additionally, you require greater leverage than the actual neodymium magnet size.

To efficiently separate a neodymium magnet, you must create an air grip. Here are a few things to always keep in mind.

• Sliding two neodymium magnets apart is the easiest way to detach them. The pull strength determines the strength of a neodymium magnet. It’s five times easier to move them if you push them rather than pulling apart.
• The edges– edges play a massive role in helping you separate the neodymium magnet. It’s a great way to introduce leverage when dealing with more giant neodymium magnets. Place the neodymium magnets where they are closely joined on edge. The next step is to push these neodymium magnets apart carefully.
• The wedge– Not all neodymium magnets would give you an easy time separating for neodymium magnets with stronger pull strength. You will need non-magnetic aids to help in the process.

Wedges and neodymium magnet jigs are some of the common non-magnetic aids. Separating neodymium magnets with wedges most times requires two people. It’s the safest way to ensure that these neodymium magnets don’t revert to each other.

Now that you know what is needed to separate neodymium magnets. Let’s get into the intricate details of separating the different sizes.

How to Separate Small Neodymium Magnets?

Separating a neodymium magnet largely depends on its strength. Small neodymium magnets weigh around 0 to 5 pounds. You can separate them by hand without assistance from any mechanical force. You can easily slide them from each other with little resistance, even without spacers.

If the neodymium magnets are slightly larger, use two hands to push them apart. For an easier time, slide them laterally against each other.

How to Separate Medium neodymium Magnets?

Medium neodymium magnets have around 6 to 12 pounds of pull force. Although you can separate them by hand, you need leverage to assist with the stronger ones. You can use a table or the edge of a workbench to pull the two apart.

A great tactic is hanging these neodymium magnets on the edge of a table or desk and vertically sliding one downwards. Once separated, move the free neodymium magnet safely from the other one.

Most medium neodymium magnets come with spacers or small plastic washers between them. The space in between the neodymium magnets makes it easy to separate them. When the spacers are removed, it becomes difficult to separate the neodymium magnets by hand.

Although they appear small, be careful when separating them. That might easily snap back together and shatter. Also, when that draws back together, that might pitch your skin leading to some bloodshed.

When handling neodymium magnets of this caliber, wear gloves and glasses. When not handled properly and smashed together, the fragment of neodymium magnets might fly into the air. They might harm your eyes.

How to Separate Large Neodymium Magnets?

Large neodymium magnets weigh around 12 to 25 pounds of pull force. Someone with strong and experienced hands might separate using their hands. Especially those that have spacers. Spacers provide ample coverage to prevent neodymium magnets from sticking into each other.

The stronger the neodymium magnet, the thicker the spacer should be.

However, most times, leverage is needed. Common leverages include a workbench, a table, a neodymium magnet splitter, or a separating jig.

Leverages are made with tools like wood and aluminum so that neodymium magnets don’t attract each other. They help you in sliding neodymium magnets apart by giving room to apply additional leverage.

The separating jigs come in different varieties. They are customized to separate different sizes of neodymium magnets. The component that’s constant in separating tools is the non-magnetic handle design. It’s used when pushing one neodymium magnet from the other.

Some jigs can have catch bins and spacers to prevent jumping from each other.

Be extra careful when handling neodymium magnets of this size and strength. Although they might appear smaller, they are likely to pull together faster and more forcefully than small and medium neodymium magnets.

Get them far apart after successfully separating them. Wear glasses and gloves for safety when working with these neodymium magnets. Additionally, let an experienced person assist you with the separation.

Tips to Separate Strong Neodymium Magnet

Now that you have learned how to separate different sizes of neodymium magnets. Here are some tips to always keep in mind.

• Safety First

Before starting the separation process, you have to prioritize your safety first. Protect your eyes, and avoid fingers from smashing. Wear safety glasses and gloves in your hands.

Always Be cautious while handling them. Although these neodymium magnets look strong outside, the interior is brittle. For instance, you are letting them hit each other with force or drop them. They can easily break into several tiny and jagged pieces, leaving them unusable. Worse, they can create a potential source of injury.

• Slide Rather than Pull

To separate these neodymium magnets, device a method to get more leverage. Alternatively, find a better way to grip the neodymium magnets to have an easy time drifting the neodymium magnets apart. Provide the space that allows you to pull the neodymium magnet sideways or laterally.

Pulling makes it harder for you to separate the neodymium magnets. The magnetic force will likely be more powerful than you, even if you are strong. Instead, slide them apart laterally to pull attractive forces away from each other. You use less strength when pulling the neodymium magnets directly apart.

• Use Assistance from Another Tool

You can separate lower-strength neodymium magnets using your hands. However, use a non-magnetic wedge to help you with the higher strength ones. Also, you can use a non-ferruginous tool to push in between attracted neodymium magnets. Such as taking a wedge of wood and placing them between two stuck neodymium magnets before trying to separate them.

• Divide the neodymium Magnets

Both large and small neodymium magnets can attract each other, sometimes even when they are inches apart. Thus, before working with them, check your workspace. Although the neodymium magnets may fail to hurt you, other tools like metal items close to your working space could get attracted to the neodymium magnets. They are likely to travel at high speed towards the neodymium magnet causing harm to you.

After separating the neodymium magnets, keep them far off each other if you don’t want them to be attracted to each other again. Attention, the brittleness of neodymium magnets can cause them to shatter once they reconnect with each other, while shattering may result in injuries.

How Do You Handle Strong Neodymium Magnets?

Since neodymium magnets belong to strong magnets, you must always be careful while handling them. Here is what to keep in mind:

Keep these neodymium magnets away from kids and pets. Neodymium magnets are not toys. Kids or Pets might swallow, resulting in choking. If they consume a couple of them, they might attach to the stomach and can result in death.

Keep your hands far apart when holding these neodymium magnets in two hands simultaneously.

Always pay close attention when separating or handling these neodymium magnets.

Store the neodymium magnets safely. The attraction doesn’t stop even after using them. Label them to make them identifiable. Although they may not interfere with other items like phones, they might interfere with other electronic devices like hearing aids, credit cards, watches, TVs, and computers.

Try keeping neodymium magnets 20 – 25 cm away from electronic devices.

Final Thoughts

Neodymium magnets are the strongest magnets that exist. Before embarking on separating them, always put your safety first. PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO wearing gloves and safety glasses. The magnetic force impact of tiny neodymium magnets leads to pain. However, large neodymium magnets can cause your fingers to crush in a few seconds.

If you are not experienced, the easiest way is to get someone experienced to help you.

When not using these neodymium magnets, always place them safely.

Apply the above tips whenever you have strong neodymium magnets stuck together!