What is the Strongest Magnet You Can Buy?

Overview of Magnets

A magnet can be defined as a piece of iron or some other material that demonstrates magnetism because its component atoms are ordered in the same direction, giving the iron a north and south pole and producing a strong magnetic field. The magnetic field then allows it to attract other iron and ferromagnetic magnetic materials like steel, cobalt, and nickel.

The history of magnets is traced back to ancient Greece in 600 BC, where the Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus made mention of lodestones in his work. The now popular name, magnet, is derived from Magnesia, an ancient Greek city in the region of Ionia.

Over the centuries, there have been extensive research and development in the technology behind magnets. And in the modern world, there are numerous applications for magnets, spanning several industries, including electronics, automotive, space tech, and many others. While there are many types of magnets, the neodymium magnet is presently the strongest magnet you can buy commercially.

Neodymium magnets, also referred to as NdFeB or Neo magnets, are among the most popular and extensively used rare earth magnets. They are categorized as permanent magnets due to their potential to retain magnetism permanently following their magnetization, given that they are not subjected to any demagnetization agents.

Neo magnets are manufactured from an alloy of boron, iron, and neodymium; depending on the manufacturing technique, they can either be sintered or bonded. Thanks to their magnetic force and durability, neo magnets have replaced other magnets such as alnico and ceramic.

Types of Magnets

• Neodymium iron boron rare earth permanent magnet.
• Samarium cobalt rare earth permanent magnet.
• Aluminum nickel cobalt permanent magnet.
• Ceramic/ferrite permanent magnets.
• Electromagnets. (They are created by running an electrical current through a coil with a metal core.)
• Temporary Magnets(They magnetized in the presence of a magnetic field.)
• Superconducting magnets. (They are also electromagnets, but they have no resistance to electricity. They are used in Magnetic resonance imaging machines in hospitals, magnetic levitation railway systems, and scientific equipment.)

Magnet Strength Grade Ranking

Neodymium magnets are the strongest types of magnet available, and they can have gauss ratings of over 13,000 and an insane amount of sheer strength, up to 51 MGOe or 390 kJ/m. Below is a list of the gauss strength generated by different magnets.

• 14,600 Gauss– Neodymium (NdFeB) magnet of grade N50.
• 12,500 Gauss– Alnico (AlNiCo) magnet of grade 5.
• 11,000 Gauss– Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) magnet of grade 2:17.
• 3,700 Gauss– Ferrite magnet.
• 100 Gauss– Most refrigerator magnets.
• 5 Gauss– Measure of Earth’s magnetic field from the surface.

Below are the max energy product (strength) ratings for our grade N neodymium magnets in MGOe (Mega Gauss Oersteds) and kJ/m (kilojoules per cubic meter):

To see the complete list of all the magnets we provide and their strength rating, go to our specifications/grades page.

Uses of Neodymium Magnets

Neodymium magnets are prevalent and versatile and are used in industrial manufacturing and daily life. The common uses of neodymium magnets are

1. As Head Actuators for Computer Hard Disks.
2. In Speakers and Headphones.
3. As locks for Doors.
4. In Magnetic Bearings.
5. As Magnetic Jewelry Clasp.
6. In Magnetic Dartboards.
7. As Electric Generators for Wind Turbines.
8. In Magnetic Therapy Bracelets.
9. They are surgically implanted around the lower esophageal sphincter to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease.
10. Used in MRI scanners as an alternative to superconducting magnets.

Why are Neodymium Magnets So Popular?

Neodymium magnets are so popular because of their excellent performance in all of their applications. Neo magnets are powerful and can generate strong magnetic fields. When used in holding applications, some can hold up to 600 times their weight and can attract ferromagnetic materials from far away.

Because they generate powerful magnetic fields, neodymium magnets are used in MRI scanners to take scans of internal organs. They are also used in electric motors. And while you will find neodymium magnets in about every electric motor out there, they are mainly required in the high-performance motors found in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs). Neodymium magnets are used in high-performance motors because of their strength, durability, and resistance to heat.

Since the production of neodymium magnets began, they have found their way into many applications, from schools to offices to homes. This is because of their characteristics which include:

The Maximum Energy Product(BHmax)

The maximum energy product, or BHmax, refers to the total energy density a magnet can hold. This metric indicates strength. The size or volume of a magnet does not influence its BHmax, meaning that two magnets of varying geometry but the same grade (two N48 magnets of different sizes, for example) will possess the exact value of maximum energy product.

The Pull/Holding Force

This refers to how much force is needed to pull a magnet free from a material attached to it. A steel plate is often used in a controlled environment where the pull test is conducted. Usually, the pull force gives an idea of the magnet’s holding power, and we can also rely on it to measure the magnet’s maximum strength. The pull force is measured in pounds and kilograms, while the max energy product is measured in MGOe and KJ/m³.

It is noteworthy that a magnet may not be able to exercise its full strength or power during use. Other factors may affect the pull force of a magnet in its application. These factors include the magnet’s placement, the surface it is attached to, the air gap between the magnet and the surface, and the permeability of the ferromagnetic material.

Remanence(Br)

Remanence is the magnetic field reserved in a ferromagnetic material after withdrawing it from the external magnetic field that magnetizes it to saturation, giving it magnetism. It is also sometimes referred to as residual magnetism or retentivity.

Magnets don’t possess magnetism right from the beginning of their production process. First, they are fabricated into the preferred shape; this could be a custom shape or one of the standard shapes. Then, they are placed in the presence of an external magnetic field to give them magnetism. The magnetic field that remained in them.I.e., the field that is measured in the magnet, after this exposure, is remanence.

Coercive Force

Coercive force, or coercivity, refers to the measure or ability of a magnet to resist an opposing external magnetic field or other demagnetization forces like heat and alternating current. Basically, the higher the coercivity, the better.

– Hcb refers to how much negative magnetic field is needed to drive the net flux density down to zero. The opposing field is usually equal to the magnet’s internal magnetic field. If a neodymium magnet is exposed to a negative external field that equals its internal field, it will lose magnetism and suffer reversible loss. After this incident, the magnet can still regain magnetism because its polarity remains intact.

– Hcj is also called intrinsic coercivity. The value of the opposing external magnetic field is required to demagnetize a magnet and reduce its polarity to zero. This value is usually higher than the magnet’s internal magnetic field, and if you expose a magnet to it, it may suffer a permanent loss.

Temperature

Temperature also matters a lot to the functionality of magnets. The temperature condition of a magnet’s working environment affects its efficiency. The two essential temperature limits are:

The operating or working temperature describes the range of temperature within which a magnet can function effectively without any complications.

The Curie Temperature is the maximum heat limit you can expose a magnet to before it becomes useless. If a magnet reaches its curie temperature, it will suffer a permanent loss.

Safety Precautions When Handling Neodymium Magnets

Like any other industry, accidents may happen when handling neodymium magnets. To prevent accidents, below are safety precautions for handling neodymium magnets:

1. Try not to handle magnets when it is not mandatory for you to do so
2. Always try to keep strong magnets away from the body’s head, eyes, heart, and trunk regions.
3. Avoid long-term close bodily contact with strong magnets.
4. People who use hormone infusion pumps, cardiac pacemakers, or other sensitive medical devices should sidestep working with magnets as much as possible.
5. When working magnets, ensure your credit cards are not on you and safely store electronics away from the environment.
6. Always wear safety goggles when working with magnets.
7. Ensure that daily exposure does not exceed 2,000 gausses or 0.2 teslas.
8. Keep children away and safe from powerful neodymium magnets.
9. Seek urgent medical attention if someone is suspected of having swallowed one or more magnets.
10. Observe the age recommendations, warnings, safety messages, and product assembly instructions.

Where Can You Buy the Strongest Magnets/Neodymium Magnets?

You can buy the strongest neodymium magnets from ROBO Magnetic, one of China’s leading neodymium magnets manufacturers that has been operating for the last 16 years. At ROBO Magnetic, we prioritize product quality and client satisfaction above everything else. We have ISO 9001:2015 certification, which means that our products and services meet applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

We are an international company, and we help industrial, commercial, and retail customers worldwide manufacture custom and standard-shaped neodymium magnets in different grades and for all sorts of applications. Contact our sales team today to make your project a success.

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We have guides if you’re looking to learn more about neodymium magnets.

Here are the links:

1. Why are Neodymium Magnets Illegal?
2. Illegal Uses of Neodymium Magnets
3. Magnet Fishing: All You Need To Know
4. Uses of neodymium magnets in the industry
5. Could Neodymium Magnets Damage a Smartphone?
6. Are Neodymium Magnets Easily Corroded?