Is Neodymium the Strongest Magnet?

Ever wondered what magnets are the strongest? Since you’re reading this, I assume that you are curious. During this post, you will learn more about whatever a neodymium magnet, also called power magnet, is the strongest kind of magnet. You will also learn what it can be used for!

Is neodymium the strongest magnet? Neodymium magnets are currently the strongest permanent magnets that we know of. Neodymium magnets I able to hold many times their own weight. Besides being incredibly strong, the neodymium magnets are also lighter and cheaper than other types of magnets.

There it is. If we’re speaking permanent magnets, neodymium magnets are the strongest you can get. So if you are looking for a strong permanent magnet, that also has to be light and cheap, a neodymium magnet is a way to go!

If you are wondering why neodymium magnets are so strong, how you make neodymium magnets, what you can use them for, and what other types of strong magnets you can find, you need to keep reading.

In the following sections, I will walk you through each and every one of the questions I just listed. Enjoy!

Introduction to neodymium magnets

Neodymium magnets are as the name suggests, partly made of neodymium. The magnet has a powerful magnetism and should be handled with caution.

Neodymium magnets decline in strength after about 100 years of existence, but can also be affected by other things, such as heat and multiple strokes.

If a small fracture is hit off a neodymium magnet, it won't affect the power of it. But, they can break fairly easy if you are not cautious, and probably won't survive an explosive collision with another magnet.

Most neodymium magnets can handle temperatures up to 80 degrees, and some can withstand even higher temperatures. When it comes to cold temperatures, there is no limit for how low temperatures a neodymium magnet can withstand.

How are neodymium magnets used

Know when we have made it perfectly clear that neodymium magnets are the strongest permanent magnet this currently available in the world, it probably doesn’t surprise you that neodymium magnets is used in countless applications both in our everyday life and my manufacturing.

I mean, after all, it weighs and costs very little, so why wouldn’t it be?

Because of the strength of the neodymium magnet, it has more or less completely replaced alnico- and ferrite magnets in most modern technology where a permanent magnet is required. The reason for this is that their strength compared to their size allows manufacturers to use much smaller and lighter magnets in their products.

Now you’re probably thinking: In which products I neodymium magnets used? Well, to mention a few, there is:

• Electric motors
• Locks
• Firing switches on e-cigarettes
• Computer hard disks
• Cassette recorders
• Speakers
• Headphones
• Speakers on phones and computers
• Magnetic bearings
• Magnetic couplings
• Electric generators
• Voice Coil

10 reasons for choosing neodymium magnets to your fridge

1. They are strong. I know, newsflash, but it really does mean a lot to use some strong magnets on your fridge. It simply makes your life easier.
2. They don’t fall down every time you open or close your fridge. There is nothing more annoying than having to pick up countless papers, drawings, and folders every time you need to get something in your fridge, just because the magnets you use is too weak.
3. They stick even though you air out your house. Kinda the same thing as reason number two. When you air out your house or apartment, you don’t want a frisky breeze to knock down every single thing on your fridge. With a neodymium magnet, it won't!
4. They can hold the pizza-folder in eyesight. Do I really need to elaborate on this one? No? Didn’t think so.
5. You kids can’t take it down without struggling. Neodymium magnets are not a toy for kids to play with. They might hurt themselves or choke on it if they try to swallow it. With a strong neodymium magnet, they can’t just take it down. At least not without a struggle.
6. They are not easy for pets to knock down. Just like children, pets can choke on magnets if they knock them down an swallow them. With a strong neodymium magnet, they can’t just knock them down.
7. They are fun to play with. This one is actually a bad argument because you’re really not supposed to play with magnets as strong as neodymium magnets. But then again, it is quite fun to feel how strong these magnets are, despite their tiny size.
8. They look good. The good thing about neodymium magnets being as strong as they are is that they don’t have to be very big to do the trick. After all, a small and minimalistic magnet looks way better than a big and clumsy one.
9. They can hold most of your stuff. A neodymium magnet can surprisingly many of your things. Not only light things as keys and dishtowels but also heavier things like knives. Although, we do not recommend that you hang your knives on your fridge!
10. They can give you some bad-ass bruises. Neodymium magnets are very strong. And they are not a toy. They are actually strong enough to give you some pretty bad bruises on your hands and fingers. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up looking like you’ve been in a fight. Actually, you have, but with a magnet.

Neodymium magnets “little brother”

Another very common type of magnet is ferrite magnets. Ferrite magnets are kind of a “little brother” to magnets. It’s still a strong magnet, but not nearly as strong as the neodymium magnet.

The difference between a neodymium magnet and a ferrite magnet is quite big, but I will try to explain it to you anyways.

Ferrite magnets are approximately 9 times weaker than neodymium magnets. So strength-wise, neodymium magnets are far superior to the ferrite magnet.

But, ferrite magnets is a lot harder for kids and pets to swallow, and if they do swallow it anyway, it’s a lot less dangerous to do so compared to swallowing a neodymium magnet.

Ferrite magnets are also a lot more resistant than neodymium magnets. They are a lot harder to break. If they do break anyways and a small fracture falls off, it won’t make much of a difference.

Ferrite magnets don't lose strength either, at least in theory. Well, there have been recorded minor reductions in the strength of a ferrite magnet after 100 years of existence. A ferrite magnet can be affected by other things.

For example, can powerfull heat and strokes affect the magnet, as well as influence from a much stronger magnet?

Choosing a neodymium magnet or a ferrite magnet depends fully on what you are going to use the magnets for, and if economy or power means the most to you. If you’re not quite sure which kind of magnet you should choose, we would love to give you some more guidance.

You can contact us by phone at +45 7199 3614 or by mail at info@magnetpartner.com. 

We have many years of experience with magnets, so we feel confident that we can guide you in purchasing the right magnets for your project.