Buy Rare Earth Magnets With Caution

Anyone interested and wanting to buy rare earth magnets should first gather all the information possible on the benefits, possibel disadvantages, and properties in comparison with other kinds of magnets. If you know what magnet properties to select, and how you intend to use them, then it is easy to order the magnets online. They have various special coatings, functions, sizes and shapes for whatever purpose you want them, and all that is necessary is to choose the one you think will best suit your needs.


Rare earth magnets are permanent magnets that are created from the rare elements of the earth. They are strong and have their own magnetic persistent fields. Two types of earth magnets are in existence: 1. samarium-cobalt and 2. neodymium magnets. Neodymium magnets have a weaker magnetic field than the samarium-cobalt magnets which cost more and have a stronger magnetic field. The advantage to samarium-cobalt magnets are that they are more resistant to the Curie temperature--at which they lose the magnetism properties--and in addition are more resistant to oxidation. Neodymium magnets are more affordable and stronger, making them an effective ferrite and Alnico magnets replacement. Rare earth magnets are used in producing permanent magnet parts in cordless tools like flashlights, headphones and audio speakers, and computer hard drives, to name a few.





Because their Curie temperatures are much greater than room temperature, rare earth magnets created from transitional metals like iron, cobalt and nickel, and from alloys of rare earth elements--lanthanides--are more stable. They retain high magnetism while they are in a solid state. This is because they have an advantage of direction dependence, or high magnetic anisotropy, meaning they magnetize in one direction but not in the other direction. The density of their magnetic energy and the resistant of their magnetic field to demagnetization further demonstrates their strength.

The hazards of rare earth magnets are not well known, even though their advantages cannot be denied. Injuries to body parts can occur if they are caught between a piece of metal and the magnet larger than a few centimeters. Magnets can come together with such force that parts of each chip off and can injure soft tissue or cause injury to eyes through brittle material flying through the air. Additionally, two magnets, if swallowed, can pinch the intestines into a fold, which causes distress and can lead eventually to death. Magnets can erase hard drives and other magnetic media, including credit cards, and have even been known to magnetize CRI monitors from a considerable distance.


The pull force of rare earth magnets depends on several environmental conditions and variables. Before you buy rare earth magnets, remember their force can be changed by the type of material being pulled together and the surface conditions. The plating composition, as well as the absence or presence of rotational and/or lateral forces can also reduce the strength of their pull.