FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Published: 2023-04-17 12:02:56 • Daniel Gårdefelt

FAQ - which questions about magnets do we most often get from our customers?

1. Are neodymium and rare earth magnets the same thing?
Neodymium magnets are the most commonly used type of rare earth magnets. Rare earth magnets are made from rare earth elements found on the periodic table. Neodymium magnets are the strongest rare earth magnets and the strongest magnets in the world.

2. What does the N35, N36, N40, N42, N45, N48, N50, N52 grade mean?
Neodymium magnets are graded by the maximum strength they can be magnetized to. The higher the number the stronger the magnet is, however the higher the number the more brittle the magnet becomes as well.

See magnet grades page for more details.

3. Can I cut, drill, or machine neodymium magnets?
Machining magnets can be a tricky process and we do not recommend it unless there is no other option. Neodymium magnets are very hard and brittle and any kind of machining can break or damage the magnet. Heat produced by machining can quickly demagnetize the magnet.

4. Can I solder or weld neodymium magnets?
No you can't. The high heat will demagnetize the magnets and the magnets could catch fire.

5. Do I need to worry about temperature with neodymium magnets?
Yes. Neodymium magnets are sensitive to heat. Depending on the grade of the magnet, the heat will demagnetize the magnet. We can produce custom magnets that withstand high temperatures. Most of our magnets are grade N36 so if they are heated above 80˚C they will demagnetize and lose their strength.

See magnet grades for more details.

6. Which coating is the best for me?
For normal use indoors without any humidity, NiCuNi or Zn are great options and are also the cheapest coatings. If the magnet will be exposed to damp environment we recommend a Epoxy (Ni-Cu-Epoxy) coating.

See our coating page for all treatments and more information.

7. How long does the plating last when used in salt water?
Salt water is not good for NdFeB magnets as the Ni plating will corrode rapidly (24-48 hrs). If a longer time is required Epoxy plating is recommended. See our coating page for all treatments and more information.

8. Do neodymium magnets lose their strength over time?
Minimum loss in strength. Neodymium magnets are the most permanent magnets in the world. As long as you don’t over heat them they will lose less than 1% of their strength every 10 years. You will not even notice unless you measure it.

9. Are there any health or safety risks with neodymium magnets?
There are no known health risks caused by being exposed to neodymium magnets. There can be issues if the person has a pacemaker, so you should consult your doctor for information on this. Some people actually believe magnets can have health benefits and help the healing process. There are currently no scientific studies that prove this however, large and strong magnets can cause physical harm if not handled properly.

10. Will magnets damage my electronics?
They can… The strong magnetic field of neodymium magnets can damage certain magnetic media such as credit cards, magnetic I.D. cards, cassette tapes and video tapes. They can also cause damage to TV’s, computer monitors and other CRT displays. For small electronics like cell phones, iPods, calculators and other devices that don’t contain magnetic storage there shouldn’t be any problems, but just to be on the safe side try to avoid close contact with neodymium magnets.

11. Can I damage my refrigerator, stove, oven, or microwave if I put magnets on them?
No, magnets will not damage these appliances.

12. Will magnets harm my computer or erase my hard drive?
No, you wouldn’t want to place a magnet directly on your hard drive or computer case, having them nearby though will not harm your computer. Magnets can damage magnetic tape storage media and floppy disks, so you will want to keep magnets away from these devices. Hard drives already contain a powerful neodymium magnet, so having another magnet by your computer won’t affect your data. The only way you could cause damage is if you place a strong neodymium magnet directly on your hard drive.

13. Are both poles the same strength?
Yes both poles are equal in strength.

14. What is the strongest type of magnet?
Neodymium magnets are the strongest magnets in the world.

15. Will stacking my magnets together make them stronger?
Yes, when two or more magnets are stacked together they become stronger, however they will not be proportionally stronger all the time due to the nature of the material.

16. Can you supply custom magnets?
Yes, we have the capability to produce magnets to your specification in NdFeB, SmCo, AlNiCo, Ferrite, and any magnetic system.

17. Can I increase the strength of my magnet?
No, once a magnet has been fully magnetized it can't be made stronger.

18. How do you measure the force/strength of your magnets?
For our systems, such as holding magnets, forces have been determined at room temperature on a plate in polished steel (S235JR according to DIN 10 025) with a thickness of 10 mm (1kg ~ 10N). A maximum deviation of -10% compared to the specified value is possible in exceptional cases. Value is exceeded in general. Depending on the type of application (installation situation, temperatures, counter anchor etc.) the forces can be influenced enormously. The indicated values are serving as an orientation.

Our magnet calculator is a handy tool to specify the holding force for each permanent -magnet. NOTE: Theoretical values, may vary from real world results.

19. What kind of materials are magnets attracted to?
Any kind of ferromagnetic material will attract to NdFeB magnets. Items made of Iron, Nickel or Cobalt are the most common metals that magnets are attracted to. There are also several kinds of steel that attract magnets because of its iron content.

20. Will a magnets with a 10kg pull strength lift a 10kg object?
Our pull strength is tested under ideal conditions, so in real life applications you probably will not achieve the same strength. Always use some margin.

21. Why are neodymium magnets coated?
Neodymium magnets are coated to prevent oxidation and rust. Neodymium magnets are made of neodymium, iron and boron. The iron will oxidize quickly and will rust over time, the coating protects the magnet from this. See all of our coatings here.