#Earth magnet how to#

The above infographics use data from the USGS, Aluminium Leader, and other sources to break down the three stages of aluminum production. However, the lightweight metal doesn’t occur naturally, and producing it is a complex process. However, the supply chain of neodymium magnets remains a concern with China controlling the majority of rare earth extraction, refining, and downstream magnet production.Īluminum is one of our most widely-used metals, found in everything from beer cans to airplane parts. Neodymium magnet consumption is forecasted to grow from more than 100,000 tonnes in 2020 to 300,000 tonnes by 2035, with EVs and wind turbines driving growth. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that the demand for rare earth magnets is expected to increase. Similarly, renewable energy is expanding at a record pace, with capacity installations in 2022 set to break the record set the previous year.

Global EV sales more than doubled last year, up from around 3 million cars in 2020 to 6.6 million in 2021. Consequently, they have important applications in harsh marine environments and technologies with high operating temperatures. These magnets can operate from temperatures as low as -270℃ up to 350℃ and are also highly resistant to corrosion. Samarium-cobalt magnets exhibit exceptional resistance to extreme temperatures. Because these magnets also offer relatively high strength for a smaller size, they are also the predominant choice for wind turbines, reducing turbine weight significantly. In fact, according to Adamas Intelligence, 90% of all EV motors use NdPr magnets. For this reason, neodymium magnets are also known as NdPr magnets.ĭue to their strength, neodymium magnets have found their way into various technologies, from phones and laptops to motors in electric vehicles. Some of the neodymium in magnets can be replaced with praseodymium, another rare earth material. Neodymium magnets are typically composed of one-third neodymium, along with iron and boron. These metals are first mined, refined, and then combined with materials like iron, boron, and/or cobalt to make the strongest magnetic alloys. Neodymium and samarium-two of the 17 rare earth elements-are ferromagnetic, meaning that they have inherent magnetic properties and can be magnetized. Note: While the N42 neodymium magnet is used more commonly, the strongest available magnet is of grade N52. Strontium or barium, synthetic rubber, PVC To put the power of two common rare earth magnet grades into perspective, here’s how their strength compares with common grades of other permanent magnets: Magnet (Grade)

For example, a neodymium magnet of grade N42 has a strength of 42MGOe. Measured in oersteds, it essentially captures the magnetic material’s resistance to demagnetization.Įach magnet has a grade, which typically denotes its strength. Remanence, measured in Gauss, is the magnetism left in the magnet after removing the external magnetic field.Ĭoercivity is the energy required to bring a magnetic material’s magnetism down to zero. To become magnets, ferromagnetic substances need to enter the magnetic field of an existing magnet. It is a multiplication of two measurements: a magnet’s remanence and its coercivity. The maximum energy product, measured in mega-gauss-oersteds (MGOe), is one of the primary indicators of magnetic strength.

#Earth magnet how to#

But before looking at the strongest magnets, it’s essential to understand how to measure magnetic strength. The above infographic uses data from First4Magnets to compare the strength of magnets. The world’s strongest magnets, also known as rare earth magnets, are made by alloying certain rare earth elements with other materials.īut just how strong are rare earth magnets, and what makes them so powerful? Measuring Magnet Strength Magnets are an integral part of many technologies and appliances in the 21st century.įrom tiny fridge magnets that hold to-do lists to powerful ones that create magnetic fields for electricity generation from wind turbines, there are many different types of magnets.