Difference between ferrit and neodymium

Are you uncertain about choosing magnets?

There's a significant difference between ferrite and neodymium magnets, and we aim to explain it in simple language that everyone can understand - it's our mission to make using magnets in everyday life easier.

And we write it many times across most of our pages, but we'll say it again just to be safe:

Magnets are not toys!

Ferrite magnets are made of a ceramic material, which is less expensive and more robust than neodymium magnets. However, ferrite magnets are also weaker in their magnetism, so they're often best suited for simpler tasks like holding a single drawing on the refrigerator, or for applications in hot environments (up to 250 degrees Celsius).

Neodymium magnets are made from an alloy of iron, boron, and neodymium, making them much stronger than ferrite magnets. Neodymium magnets have high magnetic strength and can hold heavier objects securely, while being smaller and thus more discreet than ferrite magnets. As such, they can be used for more complex tasks, such as hanging heavy items, in robotics, or to be concealed within items like jewelry, windows, etc. The possibilities are endless due to their intense magnetism (they can carry their own weight up to 1000 times if you choose a high N-rating). But it's important to add that neodymium magnets can also be dangerous if swallowed or if they come too close to sensitive electronic devices, such as computers or mobile phones. So, always make sure to store them at a safe distance from electronics and away from children and pets.

Therefore, consider what the most important function for your project is (strength, size, or max working temperature). And then you can choose from a variety of shapes and sizes with different strengths within either the ferrite magnet category or neodymium magnets.

Do you want something inexpensive and sturdy, or something strong and discreet? The choice is yours!

Specifically About Ferrite Magnets

If the economy is more important than strength, then you should choose ferrite magnets.

Ferrite magnets are the "little brother" to neodymium magnets - about 9 times weaker than neodymium magnets.

They are difficult for children and animals to swallow. And if an accident happens, ferrite magnets are less dangerous to swallow than neodymium because they are not as strong. But this is not an invitation to swallow magnets - always keep magnets far away from small children.

In theory, ferrite magnets do not lose strength, but a small degradation can be measured after about 100 years. However, other factors than time can demagnetize a magnet: for example, strong heat, repeated impacts, and the influence of a stronger magnet.

It takes a lot to break a ferrite magnet compared to neodymium magnets, and it's not a big deal if a small chip breaks off a ferrite magnet.

They tolerate temperatures of about -40 °C to 250 °C.

Specifically About Neodymium Magnets

If strength is more important than the economy, then you should choose power magnets.

Power magnets are made of neodymium and have a quite violent attraction force. Therefore, they should be handled with the utmost caution - they are about 9 times stronger than ferrite magnets.

The carrying capacity stated on the product cards assumes direct contact with a magnetic surface - that is, for example, why magnetic glass boards are so weak in magnetism, as the magnets must work through the glass plate.

After about 100 years, a minor degradation of the magnetism can be measured, but other factors than time can quickly demagnetize a magnet, such as strong heat or repeated impacts/shocks on the magnet. Strong heat permanently destroys the magnet, but demagnetization due to impacts can be corrected as long as the magnet is still intact. If you want to know more about this, you can read our FAQ about remagnetizing magnets.

Nothing happens to a neodymium magnet if it gets a small chip knocked off. But they break easily with careless use and rarely survive clashing with another magnet at high speed. We recommend discarding broken neodymium magnets, as you can cut yourself quite badly on the sharp edges.

Most of our neodymium magnets tolerate up to 80 °C - some tolerate a higher temperature, but this is specified on the product cards. There is no lower limit for temperature influence for neodymium, so they are suitable for cooler rooms.

Never Use the Magnets Together

It's very important that you do not use neodymium magnets together with ferrite magnets. Because there is such a large difference in strength, neodymium magnets will destroy (demagnetize) the ferrite magnet. Since magnet tape and magnet sheets (magnetic foil) are made with ferrite chips, we also do not recommend using the strong neodymium magnets on magnetic foil, as they will have demagnetized the magnet foil within a few months. Clearly, if you move the magnets daily on the magnetic foil, it will take longer before you can notice the "damage" on the magnet foil. And therefore, it can be a good temporary solution. But the two different types of magnets cannot be used permanently together.