The Strongest Permanent Magnet Currently In Existence

In 1982, driven by the need to produce a less expensive permanent magnet

, an American car manufacturing company along with a metals company began making magnets from an alloy of iron, neodymium and boron that are currently the strongest type of permanent magnet known to man. The car manufacturer was active in this development because these magnets have many applications within the auto making industry.

Neodymium magnets are used in compressor motors, synchronous and servomotors, electric power steering, actuators and the drive motors for electric cars and hybrid vehicles. They are smaller and of lighter weight than the magnets previously used but are much more powerful. They have an extremely high resistance to demagnification and work very well where permanent magnetic motors are needed. They are vulnerable to corrosion and so are generally provided with a protective coating of various substances, usually either two layers of copper nickel plating or a nickel-plated covering.

The magnets usefulness can apply to many fields of endeavor. Most notably, they are used to power magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, which have become such valuable diagnostic tools in the field of medicine. Current computer technology makes great use of them. They are used in head actuators of computer hard drives, in floppy disc drives and computer printers. Loudspeakers and headphones depend on them, as do cordless tools.

When constant speed is necessary, such as in electric power plants, the magnets made of neodymium fit the bill. Used in stepper motors and spindle motors, they have zero slip under standard operating conditions, unlike induction motors which slip to produce the torque they need. The result is a constant dependable motion. These magnets are also used for magnetic bearings and couplings.

New applications are being found for these magnets, as can be made in much smaller than previous permanent magnets because they provide so much more power. One new use is as magnetic clasps on necklaces and other jewelry. Another is in the production of building toy sets such as magnetic sphere building toys and those being marketed as executive toys where the magnets hold steel balls, plates and other metal forms together. A serious caution is issued with these toys, however. If swallowed, these small magnets are powerful enough to stick to each other through intestinal tissues, resulting in intestinal injuries and even death.

Other care must be taken when handling these magnets. If they are drawn to each other and slap together, they will break and send out projectiles of metal causing injuries to anyone around. They are so strong that they attract other neodymium magnets from over a foot away so great care must be exercised in handling them. Small magnets colliding have been known to break fingers and crush hands that are caught between them. Larger magnets can and have broken arms.

by: Marie Winston

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