How strong can a magnet be?

Los imanes se pueden encontrar en una gran variedad de productos que usamos todos los días. Magnets can be found in a wide variety of products that we use every day. From motors to refrigerators to credit cards, to a variety of electronic devices. There are many types of magnets, from permanent magnets, made of iron or alloys, to electromagnets, which generate a magnetic field when the electric current reaches them. The strength of a magnetic field can be influenced by numerous factors, as we will explain below.

When dealing with a magnet, we usually ask for the strength of the magnet to know if what we buy has enough power for what we need. It should always be kept in mind that the holding force indicated on the label of magnets corresponds to the maximum values reached under optimal conditions. To find out how strong a magnet is, we can consider several issues that help us to determine the actual holding power. The factors to consider are as follows:

The distance between the magnet and the object to which it is connected: note that, if there is no contact between the two objects, the holding force decreases as the distance increases. Even a small distance or a simple application of paint is sufficient to reduce the adhesive force.

• The direction of the force: note that the clamping force is theoretically achieved when the magnet is applied perpendicular to the surface.

• The type of material, the object of adhesion is: maximum adhesion is achieved only if the object is made of pure iron. For other materials, such as steel, the adhesive strength is reduced by approximately 5 percent.

• The type of surface of the object: we note that the smoother the surface, the greater the adhesive force. Rougher surfaces make clamping more difficult.

• The thickness of the object to be attracted: if it is too thin, magnetic saturation can be achieved and the magnetic field becomes useless.

Today it can be proven that the strongest magnets are neodymium magnets together with samarium magnets. These are known as rare earth magnets and are a clear example of the latest generation of magnetic materials.

They have properties that are far superior to ordinary magnets, which is why they are considered the strongest magnets on the market. Not only are they the most powerful, but they also have a silvery surface due to their nickel-copper-nickel coating, which also looks attractive to the eye, making them the preferred magnets for household use. They are also the most commonly used magnets of people practicing any kind of crafts and model making. Neodymium magnets have a very strong adhesive force and are especially useful for smaller spaces.

Therefore, they are very popular for any kind of miniature work. It is very easy to observe their effect, as small neodymium magnets are much stronger than conventional magnets, even though they are larger in size. On the other hand, we can say that neodymium magnets are a bit more expensive than conventional magnets.

But in any case, at IMA we have all types of magnets, as well as experts who can recommend the right type of magnets for every occasion. In case of doubt, we invite you to contact us, we are fully adapted to your needs. Do not hesitate to contact us.