Magnetic metals

The most common magnetic metals (briefly)

Iron (Fe) is the most common metal used for magnets. Pure iron is easily magnetized, so it can create large magnetic fields.

Neodymium (N) is the strongest magnetic metal available. It is very rare (found in China and Canada) and therefore very expensive compared to e.g. ferrite. Neodymium is fragile and rusts easily. Therefore, it is often mixed with other metals to make it stronger. And it is coated with nickel or epoxy so as not to rust so easily. Neodymium magnets are also called power magnets in everyday speech due to their enormous strength.

Aluminum (Al) is also a non-magnetic metal. But if aluminum is combined with nickel and cobalt, it can produce a magnetic field. Used i.a. for Alnico magnets (which consist of aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co).

Nickel (Ni) is used to make metals. It is not equal as strong as iron. But when you mix it with other metals, you can produce very strong magnets that withstand temperature fluctuations. Often used as a coating on power magnets and for Alnico magnets.

Cobalt ( Co) is even weaker than nickel, but it is still stronger than most other magnetic materials. Cobalt is used with aluminum and nickel to make Alnico magnets.

Copper (Cu ) is a non-magnetic metal, but it conducts electricity well and is therefore often used to make wires and as an important part of electromagnets.Copper as a coating on neodymium magnets is therefore mostly for appearance.