Neodymium Magnets: Manufacturing Methods and Applications

Neodymium magnets, also known as NdFeB magnets, are tetragonal crystals formed of neodymium, iron, and boron. Neodymium magnets are currently the strongest permanent magnets and the most commonly used rare earth magnets. The magnetic energy product of neodymium magnets is more than twice that of samarium cobalt magnets and more than three times that of beryllium magnets.

Neodymium magnets are used in motors, speakers, hard disk drives, maglev trains, medical equipment and other fields. But do you understand the manufacturing process of neodymium magnets? This article gives you answers based on XHMAG's years of experience! Let's learn about the manufacturing process and practical application of neodymium magnets.

How are Neodymium Magnets Made?

The manufacture of neodymium magnets is mainly divided into the following seven steps:

step1: Raw Material Preparation

The raw materials of neodymium magnets mainly include elements such as neodymium, iron, boron, beryllium, carbon and silicon. These elements are mixed together in certain proportions, and then heated and melted. The higher the content of neodymium in a neodymium magnet, the stronger the magnetism, but the more expensive it is.

step2: Casting

The molten metal liquid is cast into flakes or rods. Flake neodymium magnets are mainly used in products such as speakers and hard disk drives, while rod-shaped neodymium magnets are mainly used in products such as electric vehicles and wind turbines.

step3: Powder Preparation

Crush the cast flake or rod-shaped metal material into micron-sized powder. The particle size of the powder has a great influence on the performance of neodymium magnets. The smaller the particle size, the stronger the magnetism, but the more difficult it is to process.

step4: Sintering

The powder is sintered into a block at high temperature. The sintering temperature is usually between 1000°C and 1300°C. The sintering time is generally more than 24 hours. During sintering, the atoms in the powder are rearranged to form a crystalline structure with certain orientation. The directionality of the crystal structure determines the magnetic direction of the neodymium magnet.

step5: Magnetization

The sintered block magnet is magnetized in a magnetic field. The magnetization process can make the magnetism of the magnet reach the maximum value. The magnetization is typically 10000-20000 Gauss.

step6: To Cut

Magnetized block magnets are cut into various shapes and sizes. Cutting methods are usually laser cutting, water jet cutting or EDM cutting.

step7: Surface Treatment

The surface of the magnet can be coated or polished to improve its corrosion resistance and aesthetics. Coating materials are typically epoxy, polyurethane or ceramic. Polishing can smooth the surface of the magnet and improve its aesthetics.

Main Applications of Neodymium Magnets

Neodymium magnets are currently the strongest permanent magnets in the world. They have the advantages of high magnetic energy product, high coercive force, high thermal conductivity and high corrosion resistance, and are widely used in various industries.

The following are some applications of neodymium magnets:

• Motor: Neodymium magnets are widely used in motors, fans, motors and other electrical equipment

◦ Function: Improve the efficiency and performance of the motor.

• Electronic products: Neodymium magnets are widely used in electronic products, such as hard drives, speakers, microphones, sensors, etc.

◦ Function: Improve the performance and function of electronic products.

• Medical equipment: Neodymium magnets are widely used in medical equipment, such as nuclear magnetic resonance equipment, magnetic resonance imaging equipment, surgical equipment, etc.

◦ Function: performance and safety of medical devices.

• Industrial manufacturing: Neodymium magnets are widely used in industrial manufacturing, such as machining, automation control, robots, etc.

◦ Function: Improve the efficiency and automation level of industrial manufacturing.

• Aerospace: Neodymium magnets are widely used in aerospace fields, such as aircraft, missiles, satellites, etc.

◦ Function: Improve the performance and safety of aerospace vehicles.

Hot Products

Cylindrical/Disc Magnet

Rectangular Magnet

Conclusion

Thank you for reading this article. With the continuous development of neodymium magnet technology, the application of neodymium magnets will be more extensive. If you want to know more about neodymium magnets, you can pay attention to XHMAG, and we will reply you in time.

XHMAG has been a leading supplier of high quality sintered NdFeB magnets. Able to provide the most competitive prices in the industry as well as internal quality control and on-time delivery services. XHMAG has expertise in the technical design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly and testing of custom neodymium magnets and precision magnetic assemblies.

Learn More

- How to Choose a Neodymium Magnet: Quick Look in 3 Minutes

- The Allure of Chinese Neodymium Magnets: The Complete Guide

- Complete Guide: What Are Neodymium Magnets？