Sunday, May 29, 2011

Neodymium Magnets And Other Magnet Types

Magnets are some of the essentials that we cannot live without. They are found and used everywhere such as in constructions, inventions, cars, computers, hi-fi amplifiers among other very many items. They are used in circumstances that require repulsion without any contact over a small distance. Magnets come in different types. This article highlights some of the types of magnets that exist, their different properties and situations that favor their use.



Ceramic magnets


These are magnets that are made when ceramics and iron oxide elements are combined. The magnets tend to be hard and brittle though when they are exposed to stress they can easily break. They are also referred to as ferrite magnets. Other elements such as zinc, barium, strontium, manganese and nickel are also added to the iron element. You are likely to find these magnets in musical instruments and applications such as transformers and instrument pickups. Due to the radar absorption quality found in this type of magnet, it is frequently used in the paint used on stealth aircrafts.




Neodymium magnets


These magnets are made from earth materials that are spread out rarely in the earth’s crust. This makes it very difficult for miners to find the materials and mine efficiently. It also gets very expensive to mine them. However these materials are very strong magnetically when compared to the other types of magnetic materials. The neodymium magnet is usually very strong and is only used in applications and circumstances that require high performing magnets such as in computer parts and electric motors.


Alnico Magnets


These magnets are made from combining the aluminum, nickel and cobalt materials. These elements also make up the acronym, Alnico. However these are just the main elements in the magnet. Other elements are added such as copper and titanium.  The use and performance of these magnets together with their results determines the proportion and combination of the elements to be used in the magnet. The Alnico magnets are versatile and can be used in different types of applications. However since they are not as strong as the other magnets, they are being displaced and substituted in their usage.


Summary


You should remember that the use of the magnet and the specific requirement is what dictates which magnet is to be used for which purpose. The different magnet types differ in terms of cost and their performance. They are mostly chosen according to the properties they posses and the usage. Magnets are everywhere; you use them unknowingly every day. You can be surprised by the many types of magnets that are found in the things that surround you each and every day. Each of these magnets is chosen wisely for optimal performance to handle the task required.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Rare Earth Magnets: Samarium Cobalt And Neodymium Magnets

Samarium cobalt and neodymium magnets are the two main kinds of rare earth magnets around.  A rare earth magnet that consists of a mixture of two metals that include boron and iron is Neodymium.  These magnets can be found in various items that include children's toys, cordless power tools, headphones, speakers, car motors, and computers.  Neodymium magnets are stronger than samarium cobalt magnets and are sold at a reasonable price.  Although this kind of rare earth magnet is prone to corrosion, it comes with a coating of gold, nickel, or copper, to prevent any corrosion from taking place.


When it comes to samarium cobalt magnets, this comprises of three metal mixtures, which include iron, samarium, and cobalt.  Despite the fact that these magnets are not as strong as neodymium magnets, they still have great features.  These samarium magnets are known to be more stable even with high heat, they have a higher resistance to demagnetization and aren't prone to oxidation and corrosion so no coating is necessary.  Satellite dishes and traveling wave tubes are what these kinds of magnets are normally used for.







Anyone who is interested in purchasing any of these rare earth magnets should be aware of the danger risks they pose.  These magnets are very strong, which is why it is necessary to always keep them away from children.  Anyone wearing a pacemaker should also stay away from these rare earth magnets as it can cause harmful effects.  Items such as electronic devices, thumb drives, hard disks, computers, credit cards, and cell phones should be kept away from these magnets.  This is because these magnets have the power to erase any data in electronic devices as well as cause errors in computers.  This is why both samarium cobalt and neodymium magnets need to be stored properly when not being used.


Rare earth magnets can be purchased through online shops.  These can be found in various sizes and shapes along with custom shaped orders available.  When making a purchase, it is important to make comparisons first.  Checking all the sites that offer rare earth magnets will allow one to find the best quality products along with the best deals.


Both these kinds of rare earth magnets are quite interesting.  There are so many inventions in the world today that wouldn't exist without these magnets.  Samarium cobalt and neodymium magnets are available for sale on the Internet through online shops.  Ready cut magnets or custom orders with specific cuts and sizes can be found in these sites.


When handling both these rare earth magnets, it is always important to take extra care.  These magnets should also be stored properly so that accidents can be avoided.  Always keep them away from children as well as electronic storage devices.