Not all magnets are round or curved. You can find them in a variety of shapes. Block magnets, for instance, are rectangular. They feature a north pole on one end and a south pole on the opposite end. To learn more about block magnets, keep reading.
The Basics of Block Magnets
Block magnets are permanent magnets in a rectangular, block-like shape. Like all permanent magnets, they produce a constant magnetic field. This otherwise invisible field attracts ferromagnetic objects, including iron, steel, nickel and cobalt. Block magnets, however, are characterized by their shape. While available in different sizes and styles, all block magnets have a rectangular shape.
What Block Magnets Are Used For
Block magnets are a popular choice for consumer and commercial applications alike. Consumer applications include cabinet latches, door latches, stereo speakers, microphones, device mounts, toolboxes and more. Commercial applications for block magnets include motors, material handling systems, generators, conveyor separators, sensors, robotics and more.
Choosing a Block Magnet
There are several things you should consider when choosing a block magnet, one of which is the material from which it’s made. Most block magnets are ceramic. Also known as ferrite magnets, ceramic magnets are made of iron oxide and strontium carbonate. With that said, you can find different types of ceramic magnets, including block magnets. C8, for instance, is known for its superior magnetic strength.
Some block magnets are made of neodymium. But due to their high cost, as well as their susceptibility to heat-related magnetic weakening, they aren’t as common as ceramic block magnets.
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a block magnet is the pull force. As the name suggests, it represents the strength of the magnetic field. Block magnets with a strong magnetic field will have a higher pulling force than those with a weaker magnetic field. The pulling force of a block magnet can range from just 4 pounds to over 30 pounds.
You should also consider the size when choosing a block magnet. While they all have the same rectangular shape, some block magnets are bigger than others. Check the length, width and thickness to determine the size.
In Conclusion
Permanent magnets are often categorized by shape. Disc magnets, for instance, are round like discs, whereas cone magnets are shaped like cones. Block magnets are rectangular like blocks. They produce a constant magnetic field, and their flat shape helps to distribute this force evenly.