At its most basic level, a magnet is an object that is made of materials that create a magnetic field. Magnets have poles, at least one north pole and one south pole.

A magnetic field is the region in space where a magnetic force can be detected. The magnetic field strength and direction can be measured in terms of strength and direction.
Magnetism is the force of attraction or repulsion between substances made of certain materials, such as iron, nickel, cobalt, and steel. The force of magnetism, simply put, is due to the motion of electric charges.

Magnets have several useful functions. Based on experience with household magnets, most people know that magnets attract materials, including iron, nickel, cobalt, and steel. Many people also know that magnets attract magnets at opposite poles and repel magnets at like poles. But magnets do much more.

Magnets affect electrically charged particles and electrical conductors. Magnets have the ability to transform electrical energy without losing their own energy. These effects can perform useful functions, for example:

Electrical-to-mechanical effects are key in the function of motors, loudspeakers, and equipment that requires charged particle deflection.
Mechanical-to-electrical effects are useful in generators and microphones.
Mechanical-to-heat effects facilitate eddy current and hysteresis torque devices.
Mechanical-to-mechanical effects attract or repulse objects.
Other effects of magnets include magneto-resistance and magnetic resonance.

The term Rare Earth Magnets is used to refer to a group of magnetic materials whose alloys consist of one or more of the Rare Earth elements. These materials are characterized by exceptionally strong magnetic properties.
Alnico magnets are aluminum-nickel-cobalt magnets. They are ideal for high-temperature use, At Adams, we stock most types of Alnico materials, and they are commonhttly supplied as long rods or bars. A long magnetic path length to pole surface ratio (usually 4:1 or greater) assists in providing good magnetic performance.
Flexible magnets have multi-pole magnetization patterns for maximum holding power. They are easily cut with scissors, knives, or die cut. They are available with adhesive or colored vinyl coating.
Ferrite magnets are made from strontium and iron oxide powders. They are generally harder, more brittle and lighter than metal alloy magnets. Ceramic magnets have a high electrical resistance.
Magnetic assemblies are up to 32 times stronger than regular magnets and are typically made with ceramic magnets. At Adams, we create magnetic assemblies in custom sizes, designs, and coatings.
Today’s permanent magnets are made of alloys. Alloy materials include

Aluminum-Nickel-Cobalt (Alnico)
Neodymium-Iron-Boron (Neo magnets or “super magnets”, a member of the rare earth category)
Samarium-Cobalt (a member of the rare earth category)
Strontium-Iron (Ferrite or Ceramic)

Magnets are made using the following manufacturing methods:

Calendering
Casting
Compression bonding
Extruding
Injection molding
Pressing and sintering

All magnets have points, or poles, where their magnetic strength is concentrated. Those points are called poles. We label them north and south because suspended magnets orient along north-south planes. On different magnets, like poles repel each other, opposite poles attract.

When suspended or allowed to rotate freely, magnets orient themselves in a north-south direction. The end of a magnet that points to the north is called the north pole. The point that seeks the south is called the south pole.

Both poles of a magnet look the same. However, if you place a compass near a magnet, the needle that normally points toward the north pole of the earth moves in the direction of the magnet’s south pole.

Some magnets, called oriented or anisotropic magnets, have a preferred direction in which they should be magnetized. The “orientation direction,” also known as an “easy axis” or “axis,” is the direction that achieves its maximum magnetism. Other magnets, called unoriented or isotropic magnets, can be magnetized in any direction.

Yes. The strength of magnetic fields diminishes with distance. This phenomenon can be measured with exponential equations.

Permanent magnets emit a magnetic field without the need for any external source of power. An electromagnet emits a magnetic field only when an electrical current runs through it.

Magnets generally retain their magnetism unless they are stored near power lines, other magnets, and high temperatures. Over time, magnet materials lose a very small amount of magnetism. For example, Samarium Cobalt magnets may lose about 1% of their magnetism in ten years.

Several factors can weaken the magnetism in a magnet. If a magnet is stored close to heat, strong electrical currents, other magnets, or radiation, it can lose its strength. Additionally, high humidity can corrode neodymium magnets.

That depends on how the magnetism was lost. Usually magnets can regain their original strength unless they’ve been exposed to extreme heat.

Once a magnet is fully magnetized, it cannot be made any stronger.

A number of devices measure the strength of magnets. Here are a few common devices.

Permeameters measure the magnetic characteristics of a specimen.
Gauss meters measure the strength of a magnet in units called Gauss units.
Magnetometers measure in Gauss or arbitrary units for comparing magnets.
Pull Testers measure the strength of a magnet’s pulling power in pounds, kilograms, or other force units.

Rare earth magnets are the strongest.

The most common uses for flexible magnets include displays and signs, arts and crafts, labeling projects, window and door seals, control charts and menu boards, package closures, interchangeable graphics, and magnet wall systems. Flexible magnets come in sheet and strip form. These versatile magnets can come with or without adhesives, with lamination, in die-cut shapes, in custom packaging, and more, making them perfect for a variety of applications.

While Sinoneo Magnets sells stock flexible magnets. We also manufacture custom flexible magnets in both strip and sheet form. Customers can choose from a variety of customization options, including adhesives (foam, rubber, acrylic, or double-faced), cutting, scoring, die-cutting, and custom magnetization. Both of our fabrication facilities offer custom flexible magnetic sheeting and strips.

The best type of magnet to use in a motor depends on the type of motor and its application. Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) magnets are the preferred choice for high-temperature motor applications because they are strong, reliable, and provide temperature resistance. In electric car motor applications, neodymium magnets are often used when corrosion and temperature are not issues.

Ferrite or ceramic magnets are the most common type used in DC electric motors. Rare earth magnets in motors are stronger than ferrite or ceramic permanent magnets, but they are also more expensive and have less resistance to corrosion and demagnetization.

We offer industrial use magnets for a variety of applications. Our product offerings include neodymium magnets, ceramic magnets, alnico magnets, flexible magnets, samarium cobalt magnets, magnetic filter bar and rods, magnetic grates and grids and magnetic assemblies.

We also offer corrosion-resistant coatings, including nickel, epoxy, and aluminum. If you’re not sure of the type of magnet you need, our technical experts are available to help industrial clients with application and design engineering, testing and analysis, and value engineering.