subject: Neodymium The King Of Magnets [print this page] Neodymium magnets are without a doubt the most popular as well as strongest of rare earth magnets that exist today. Neodymium is a metal that is made from iron (Fe), neodymium (Nd) and boron (B).Together they form the chemical compound Ne2Fe14B that is a crystalline tetragonal composition. This is how researchers and scientists in the field look at this metal however; to the average person it is simply a highly durable metal as well as a powerfully strong permanent magnet.
The word neodymium comes from two Greek words neos meaning new and didymos which means twin. This metal composition was first invented in the year 1980 and today it is known as one of the most affordable and strongest types of rare earth magnets available. There are some key properties of neodymium magnets that make it the number one rare earth magnet. One of its most notable features is its coercivity. A permanent magnet should be able to hold its magnetic field under different conditions and influences and not become demagnetized. Neodymium magnets have a very high resistance to demagnetization because of their internal crystal structure. This makes them an ideal choice for use in many different industrial applications.
The other notable feature of these magnets is what is known as remanence. When ferromagnetic material is magnetized in one direction, it should not go back to being zero magnetized when the magnetizing medium is removed. Neodymium magnets maintain a high magnetic field even when the source of magnetization is removed or dropped to zero. This characteristic in these magnets gives them a field strength that surpasses that of other magnets.
Temperature is also a factor when working with magnets in different applications centered around heat sources. The maximum temperature at which neodymium loses its magnetism is known as curie temperature. This metal has a low working temperature when used for heat applications and will catch on fire if used in conditions around high temperatures. The final characteristic of neodymium magnets that make them stand out from other magnets is how powerful they are.
Most neodymium magnets are small but very powerful and have the highest magnetic strength of any other horseshoe magnet on the market today. One reason that these magnets are in such high use is not only because of their excellent properties but also because of their relatively low cost. In fact, they are mass-produced in the country of China and can be purchased quite easily. You can find these magnets at work in many applications such as magnetic resonance imaging equipment, computer hard disks, audio speakers, electronic devices, CD and DVD players, mobile phones, watches, magnetic toys and a host of other electronic devices. In fact, these magnets have replaced the most common previously used magnets such as alnico and ferrite. With its excellent characteristics and high magnetic strength, Neodymium has earned its spot as the workhorse of the magnetic family.
