subject: A Basic Guide To Permanent Magnets [print this page] Most people are not aware that there are three types of magnets available to buyers. These magnet types are permanent magnets, temporary magnets and electromagnets. The magnet that people are most familiar with is the permanent magnet type. An example of this kind of magnet is the ones people use on their fridges.
These magnets are considered to be permanent as they keep up their level of magnetism after they have been magnetized. A permanent magnet is simply an object that is created from a material that is magnetized. It also creates a persistent magnetic field for itself.
These magnets can be created in every shape, color and design possible. The sign of a good magnet is one that can produce high magnetic fields and have a low mass. Those that are buying magnets should make sure that the one that they purchase is stable against forces that can demagnetize it.
There are a number of different types of permanent magnets out there. The different magnets all have differing properties and characteristics. What differentiates one of these magnets from another is the ease at which it can be demagnetized, the strength of the magnet and how it reacts in different temperatures. Some names of permanent magnets are Neodymium, Samarium-cobalt, Alnico and Ceramic. The Samarium-cobalt and Neodymium magnets have been classified as rare earth magnets. A rare earth magnet is considered to be one of the best, as it will produce the biggest magnetic force with the smallest mass. Due to this, they are very difficult to demagnetize.
Alnico is a magnet that is made up of nickel, cobalt and aluminum. While Alnico is generally not affected by temperature, it can be demagnetized very easily. Ceramic magnets are the most popular type of magnet amongst manufacturers. This is because they are both flexible and thin. What this means for manufacturers is that they can be bent and molded into a number of different ways making them perfect for advertising campaigns. Other benefits to ceramic magnets are that they are strong and it is not easy to demagnetize them. The downside of this magnet type is that it does fall victim to the temperature. The strength of ceramic magnets will vary greatly according to what temperature it is.
Magnets are used for many things all over the world. Due to this, many aspects of modern life rely on magnets. For example, energy applications often use magnets to convert magnetic energy into electric energy in generators, alternators and eddy current brakes. In addition, it is important to note that some magnetic energy applications use magnetic fields to convert electrical energy into magnetic energy. Some examples of appliances that do this are meters, speakers and ion pumps. Permanent magnets are an important part of life today and this is why they are so widely used in many industries.
