FREQUENTLY ASK QUESTION
Take a look at our most asked questions below and if you can’t find what you’re looking for – give us a call and one of our knowledgeable staff will help you out.
NdFeB strong magnets – Because of their strength. They pose problems, especially if swallowed. Do not let small children play with strong Neodymium magnets.
Various objects are sensitive to the static magnetic fields of permanent magnets.
Cameras, mobile phones and smartphones contain non-magnetic storage media. Therefore, static magnetic fields near those devices cannot delete data.
However, it cannot be ruled out that very strong magnetic fields might magnetise and maybe damage mechanical parts or built-in speakers. When in doubt, keep these devices away from strong magnets.
Unproblematic electronic devices and objects
- Camera, mobile phone, smart phone: No danger for storage medium
- Vehicle key: No danger
- USB stick, memory cards: No danger
- CD, DVD: No danger
Objects that should not get too close to permanent magnets
- Pacemaker and heart defribillator
- Magnetic Strip on Card
- Mechanical Watch
- Hearing Aid
If stored away from factors that adversely affect the magnet such as power lines, other magnets, high temperatures etc., a magnet will retain its magnetism essentially forever
Factors that can affect a magnet’s strength include:
- Heat
- Radiation
- Strong electrical currents in close proximity to the magnet
- Other magnets in close proximity to the magnet
- Neo magnets will corrode in high humidity environments unless they have a protective coating.
Shock and vibration do not affect modern magnet materials, unless sufficient to physically damage the material.
The most powerful magnets available today are the rare- earth types. Of the rare-earths, neodymium magnets are the strongest. However, at elevated temperatures (of approximately 150°C and above), samarium cobalt magnets can be stronger than neo magnets, depending on the magnetic circuit.
Provided that the material has not been damaged by extreme heat, most magnets can be re-magnetized back to their original strength.
Most commonly, Gaussmeters, magnetometers, or pull-testers are used to measure the strength of a magnet. Gaussmeters measure the strength in Gauss; Magnetometers measure in Gauss or arbitrary units (making it easy to compare one magnet to another); pull-testers measure pull in pounds, kilograms, or other force units. Helmholtz Coils, search coils and permeameters are also used to make sophisticated measurements of magnets.
Tips on handling and storing magnets
- Always take special care in handling magnets! Magnets can snap together and injure personnel or damage themselves.
- Keep magnets away from magnetic media such as floppy disks, credit cards, and computer monitors.
- Store magnets in closed containers so they don’t attract metal debris.
- If several magnets are being stored, they should be stored in attracting positions.
- Because they can easily become demagnetized, alnico magnets should be stored with “keepers”, iron or magnetic steel plates that connect the poles of the magnet.