Neodymium magnets are known for being some of the strongest magnets in the world. A type of rare-earth magnet, they are about 10 times stronger than ceramic magnets. They will attract and repel other magnets more forcefully than their ceramic counterparts. What makes neodymium magnets so strong exactly?
The Composition
The superior strength of neodymium magnets can largely be attributed to their composition. As their name suggests, they are made of neodymium.
Neodymium is a rare-earth metal. It’s relatively hard, features a silvery tone and tarnishes when exposed to air or water. Neodymium magnets are made of this same rare-earth metal mixed with iron and boron. The combination of neodymium, iron and boron results in a super-strong magnet.
Magnetic Saturation
Neodymium magnets have a high magnetic saturation. Magnetic saturation is the maximum point or limit of magnetization. The higher a magnet’s magnetic saturation, the stronger it will be. A high magnetic saturation allows magnets to produce stronger magnetic fields than other, magnets with a lower saturation.
Neodymium magnets are made of the rare-earth metal neodymium as well as iron and boron. When mixed together, these three elements allow for a unique crystalline structure. This crystalline structure is responsible for the high magnetic saturation associated with neodymium magnets.
Coercivity
Another reason neodymium magnets are so strong is because they have a high coercivity. Coercivity refers to a magnet’s ability to resist demagnetization. The higher the coercivity, the harder it will be to demagnetize. Neodymium magnets have a high coercivity, making them difficult to demagnetize.
Normally, magnets will become weaker over time. Neither ceramic nor neodymium magnets are immune to this phenomenon, but neodymium magnets are better protected from strength loss. Their high coercivity helps to protect and maintain their strength. It allows them to resist demagnetization, resulting in a super-strong magnetic field for a very long time.
Magnetic Domains
It’s also worth noting that neodymium magnets have small magnetic domains. A magnetic domain is an area in a magnet or magnetic material where the atoms are aligned in a group.
All magnets have atoms that are aligned in groups. Neodymium magnets, however, have smaller atom groups or “domains” than other types of magnets.
In Conclusion
Neodymium magnets aren’t ordinary ceramic magnets. While they may look the same, they have an entirely different composition. Ceramic magnets are made of ferrite, whereas neodymium magnets are made of neodymium, iron and boron. With their neodymium-based composition, neodymium magnets can produce stronger magnetic fields.