How much strength does this magnet have?

Magnets are found in a large number of products that are part of our daily lives. From engines, refrigerators, credit cards and a host of electronic equipment. We can find from permanent magnets -natural, made of iron or alloys- to electromagnets -which create a magnetic field when the electric current reaches them-. There are many factors that will affect the strength of the magnetic field, as we will tell you below.

When we get a magnet, we usually ask about the strength of the magnet, in order to know if what we are buying has enough power for what we need. In order to know if a magnet is powerful we can take into consideration different questions that will help us to determine the real clamping force. Let us not forget, in any case, that the clamping force that is reported on the label of the magnets corresponds to the maximum values reached under optimum conditions. The factors to take into account are the following.

• Distance between the magnet and the object to which it is attached. Note that if there is no contact between the two objects, the gripping force will decrease as the distance increases. A small distance or a simple coat of paint is enough to reduce the gripping force.

• The sense of force. We must not forget that the theoretical clamping force will be reached if the force is applied perpendicular to the surface.

• Type of material that is the object of adhesion, since we will only achieve the maximum theoretical force if the object is made of pure iron. For other materials such as steel, the force is reduced by around 5 percent.

• Type of surface of the object. For this reason we indicate that the smoother the surface, the greater the clamping force. Rougher surfaces make gripping difficult.

• It will also depend on the thickness of the object to be adhered. If this is very fine, a state of magnetic saturation can be reached and the magnetic field becomes useless.

At present we can indicate that the most powerful magnets are neodymium magnets along with samarium magnets, which are known as rare earth magnets and are a clear exponent of the latest generation of magnetic materials. These have characteristics much higher than usual, so they are considered to be among the most powerful in the market. They are not only the most powerful, but also, due to their nickel-copper-nickel coating, have a silver-coloured surface that gives them great appeal, being the preferred magnets for use inside the home.

They are also the most used magnets by all those people who make any kind of crafts and models. Neodymium magnets have a very powerful holding force and are especially useful for the smallest spaces, so they are widely used when we do any kind of miniature work. It is very easy to observe their power because small neodymium magnets are much more resistant than more conventional magnets, even though they have a larger size. On the other hand, we can say that these neodymium magnets are slightly more expensive than the others.

But, in any case, at IMA we have all types of magnets and professionals who can recommend, for every occasion, the type of magnet that best suits your needs, so if you have any doubts, we will be happy to help you. Don’t hesitate to ask us.