Random Article


 
Don't Miss
 

 

 
HOW MAGNETS WORK
 
 

How Magnets Work - Types of Magnets

T

here are various types of magnets depending on their properties. Some of the most well known are listed below.


Permanent Magnets

These are the most common type of magnets that we know and interact with in our daily lives. E.g.; The magnets on our refrigerators. These magnets are permanent in the sense that once they have been magnetized they retain a certain degree of magnetism. Permanent magnets are generally made of ferromagnetic material. Such material consists of atoms and molecules that each have a magnetic field and are positioned to reinforce each other

If not for electromagnets we would be deprived of many luxuries and necessities including computers, televisions, and telephones.

Classification

Permanent Magnets can further be classified into four types based on their composition: 1. Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB or NIB) 2. Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) 3. Alnico 4. Ceramic or Ferrite.

NIB and SmCo are the strongest types of magnets and are very difficult to demagnetize. They are also known as rare earth magnets since their compounds come from the rare earth or Lathanoid series of elements in the periodic table. The 1970s and 80s saw the development of these magnets.

Alnico is a compound made of ALuminium, NIckel and CObalt. Alnico magnets are commonly used magnets and first became popular around the 1940s. Alnico magnets are not as strong as NIB and SmCo and can be easily demagnetized. This magnet is however, least affected by temperature. This is also the reason why bar magnets and horseshoes have to be taken care of to prevent them from loosing their magnetic properties.

The last type of permanent magnets, Ceramic or Ferrite magnets are the most popular today. They were first developed in the 1960s. These are fairly strong magnets but their magnetic strength varies greatly with variations in temperature.

Permanent Magnets can also be classified into Injection Moulded and Flexible magnets. Injection molded magnets are a composite of various types of resin and magnetic powders, allowing parts of complex shapes to be manufactured by injection molding. The physical and magnetic properties of the product depend on the raw materials, but are generally lower in magnetic strength and resemble plastics in their physical properties. Flexible magnets are similar to injection molded magnets, using a flexible resin or binder such as vinyl, and produced in flat strips or sheets. These magnets are lower in magnetic strength but can be very flexible, depending on the binder used.

Shape & Configuration

Permanent magnets can be made into any shape imaginable. They can be made into round bars, rectangles, horseshoes, donuts, rings, disks and other custom shapes. While the shape of the magnet is important aesthetically and sometimes for experimentation, how the magnet is magnetized is equally important. For example: A ring magnet can be magnetized S on the inside and N on the outside, or N on one edge and S on the other, or N on the top side and S on the bottom. Depending on the end usage, the shape and configuration vary.

Demagnetization

Permanent magnets can be demagnetized in the following ways:

  • Heat - Heating a magnet until it is red hot makes it loose its magnetic properties
  • Contact with another magnet - stroking one magnet with another in a random fashion, will demagnetize the magnet being stroked
  • Hammering or jarring will loosen the magnet's atoms from their magnetic attraction.

Temporary Magnets

Temporary magnets are those that simply act like permanent magnets when they are within a strong magnetic field. Unlike permanent magnets however, they loose their magnetism when the field disappears. Paperclips, iron nails and other similar items are examples of temporary magnets. Temporary magnets are used in telephones and electric motors amongst other things.

Electromagnets

Had it not been for electromagnets we would have been deprived of many luxuries and necessities in life including computers, television and telephones. Electromagnets are extremely strong magnets. They are produced by placing a metal core (usually an iron alloy) inside a coil of wire carrying an electric current. The electricity in the current produces a magnetic field. The strength of the magnet is directly proportional to the strength of the current and the number of coils of wire. Its polarity depends on the direction of flow of current. While the current flows, the core behaves like a magnet. However, as soon as the current stops, the core is demagnetized.

howmagnetswork.com

Electromagnets are most useful when a magnet must be switched on and off as in large cranes used to lift cables and rods in construction.

Superconductors

These are the strongest magnets. They don't need a metal core at all, but are made of coils of wire made from special metal alloys which become superconductors when cooled to very low temperatures.


« ELECTROMAGNETISM    |    HOW MAGNETS WORK »

 
Related Articles
 
 
About Magnets
About Magnets
About Magnets

About Magnets

Magnets are either permanant or temporary, and either attract or repel each other. A permanent magnet produces a magnetic field around itself. It is this field that allows them...
 
What Are Alnico Magnets
What Are Alnico Magnets
What Are Alnico Magnets

What Are Alnico Magnets

Alnico magnets are made from an alloy of ALuminum, NIckle and CObalt, hence the name. In addition to the above three, there can also be other metals added to the...
 
What Are Neodymium Magnets
What Are Neodymium Magnets
What Are Neodymium Magnets

What Are Neodymium Magnets

Neodymium magnets are a type of rare earth magnet. They are the strongest rare earth magnets and can be very dangerous if handled improperly. They are often referred to as...