Magnetic Materials
Sintered Neodymium-Iron-Boron
Neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets are the second generation of the "Rare Earth" magnet family. Produced by a powder metallurgy process they still provide the highest energy per unit volume of any commercially available magnetic material.
Most stock items have a maximum working temperature of 120° C but for specialist applications a range of grades are available with working temperatures between 80°C and 180°C. Being about 75% iron, the alloy is prone to corrosion so protective coatings are often applied, the most common being electroless nickel.
All magnets are supplied in a magnetised condition unless otherwise specified.
These materials are brittle and should be handled with care.
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Sintered Samarium (rare earth) Cobalt
Also produced by a powder metallurgy process, Samarium Cobalt offers higher temperature performance (up to 300°C) together with exceptional corrosion resistance in the natural condition.
All magnets are supplied in a magnetised condition unless otherwise specified.
SmCo materials are extremely brittle and should be handled with great care.
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Bonded Neodymium-Iron-Boron
Bonded NdFeB is produced from melt spun powder bonded with a thermosetting epoxy resin to form net shape components. The product is magnetically isotropic enabling magnetisation in any direction although multi-pole magnetisation requires special fixtures.
For special shapes or prototypes the material is easily machined with conventional tooling. Operating up to 120°C the magnetic properties fall conveniently between Ferrites and the sintered rare earth materials.
(For specialist applications a bonded version of Samarium Cobalt is available to special order.)
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Sintered Ferrite
These offer excellent corrosion resistance and are available in both isotropic and anisotropic forms. Produced by sintering ceramic powder compacts, the preferred direction of the anisotropic grades are established at the pressing stage and offer good magnetic performance at an economical price.
Rings or blocks can be magnetised with multiple poles on the flat faces for improved holding or for magnetic drives or generators. An extensive range of rings are stocked for loudspeaker applications and arc segments for motors are available to order.
Isotropic discs can offer the cheapest holding devices whilst rings can be multi-poled around the circumference for encoder or sensing applications.
Ferrite powder can be compounded with rubber to produce a versatile flexible magnetic material for a variety of applications where sintered materials may not be suitable.
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Aluminium Nickel Cobalt (AlNiCo) Alloys
The traditional cast Alnico alloys offer the highest operating temperature (550°C) and the lowest temperature coefficient of any magnetic material with good corrosion resistance.
A selection of rod diameters can be supplied cut to required lengths quickly. Limited ranges of blocks and rings are stocked together with horseshoe & button shapes.
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