A permanent magnet is a material or device that has its own long-lasting magnetic properties that do not decay over time. Depending on the material, permanent magnets can be categorized into various types. A few common types of permanent magnets and their characteristics are described below by AOMAG Magnetics.
Ceramic
Ceramic, also known as Ferrite, magnets are made of a composite of iron oxide and barium or strontium carbonate. These materials are readily available and at a lower cost than other types of materials used in permanent magnets making it desirable due to the lower cost. Ceramic magnets are made using pressing and sintering. These magnets are brittle and require diamond wheels if grinding is necessary. These magnets are also made in different grades. Ceramic-1 is an isotropic grade with equal magnetic properties in all directions. Ceramic grades 5 and 8 are anisotropic grades. Anisotropic magnets are magnetized in the direction of pressing. The anisotropic method delivers the highest energy product among ceramic magnets at values up to 3.5 MGOe (Mega Gauss Oersted). Ceramic magnets have a good balance of magnetic strength, resistance to demagnetizing and economy. They are the most widely used magnets today.
| Positive | Negative |
| Low Cost | Low Energy Product |
| High Coercive Force | Low Mechanical Strength - Brittle |
| High Resistance to Corrosion |
Alnico
Alnico magnets are made up of a composite of aluminum, nickel and cobalt with small amounts of other elements added to enhance the properties of the magnet. Alnico magnets have good temperature stability, good resistance to demagnetization due to shock but they are easily demagnetized. Alnico magnets are produced by two typical methods, casting or sintering. Sintering offers superior mechanical characteristics, whereas casting delivers higher energy products (up to 5.5 MGOe) and allows for the design of intricate shapes. Two very common grades of Alnico magnets are 5 and 8. These are anisotropic grades and provide for a preferred direction of magnetic orientation. Alnico magnets have been replaced in many applications by ceramic and rare earth magnets.
| Positive | Negative |
| High Corrosion Resistance | High Cost |
| High Mechanical Strength | Low Coercive Force |
| High Temperature Stability | Low Energy Product |
Samarium Cobalt
Samarium cobalt is a type of rare earth magnet material that is highly resistant to oxidation, has a higher magnetic strength and temperature resistance than Alnico or Ceramic material. Introduced to the market in the 1970's, samarium cobalt magnets continue to be used today. Samarium cobalt magnets are divided into two main groups: Sm1Co5 and Sm2Co17 (commonly referred to as 1-5 and 2-17). The energy product range for the 1-5 series is 15 to 22 MGOe, with the 2-17 series falling between 22 and 32 MGOe. These magnets offer the best temperature characteristics of all rare earth magnets and can withstand temperatures up to 300° C. Sintered samarium cobalt magnets are brittle and prone to chipping and cracking and may fracture when exposed to thermal shock. Due to the high cost of the material samarium, samarium cobalt magnets are used for applications where high temperature and corrosion resistance is critical.
| Positive | Negative |
| High Corrosion Resistance | High Cost |
| High Energy Product | Low Mechanical Strength - Brittle |
| High Temperature Stability | |
| High Coercive Force |
Neodymium Iron Boron
Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) is another type of rare earth magnetic material. This material has similar properties as the Samarium Cobalt except that it is more easily oxidized and generally doesn't have the same temperature resistance. NdFeB magnets also have the highest energy products approaching 50MGOe. These materials are costly and are generally used in very selective applications due to the cost. Cost is also driven by existing intellectual property rights of the developers of this type of magnet. Their high energy products lend themselves to compact designs that result in innovative applications and lower manufacturing costs. NdFeB magnets are highly corrosive. Surface treatments have been developed that allow them to be used in most applications. These treatments include gold, nickel, zinc and tin plating and epoxy resin coating.
| Positive | Negative |
| Very High Energy Product | Higher Cost (Except from us!) |
| High Coercive Force | Low Mechanical Strength - Brittle |
| Moderate Temperature Stability | |
| Low Corrosion Resistance (When uncoated) |
Injection Molded
Injection moldable magnets are a composite of resin and magnetic powders of different materials allowing parts to be made in an injection molding process. Energy products are dependent upon the magnetic powders used in fabrication. The molding process allows for the manufacture of more complex shapes. These magnets are usually lower in magnetic strength as there are limitations to the degree of loading.
| Positive | Negative |
| Moderate Energy Product | High Cost |
| Moderate Coercive Force | Low Temperature Stability |
| High Corrosion Resistance | |
| Highly Shapeable |
Flexible
Flexible magnets are very similar to the injection molded magnets but are produced in flat strips and sheets. These magnets are lower in magnetic strength and very flexible depending on the materials that was used in the compound with the magnetic powders. Vinyl is often used in this type of magnet as the binder.
| Positive | Negative |
| Low Cost | Low Energy Product |
| High Corrosion Resistance | Low to Medium Temperature Stability |
| Moderate Coercive Force |
According to different materials, permanent magnets can be divided into Ferrite permanent magnets, NdFeB permanent magnets, SmCo permanent magnets, Alnico permanent magnets and Flexible permanent magnets. Each type of permanent magnet has different characteristics and applications, you can choose the right permanent magnet material according to your specific needs.