Introduction
The sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets, also known as Neodymium or NdFeB magnets, are permanent magnets made of a range of materials, namely an alloy of rare-earth elements neodymium (Nd) and iron (Fe), along with the addition of some boron (B). The powerful magnetic properties of these magnets makes them the world’s strongest magnets and thus used in a variety of industries, including automotive, electronics, electrical, machining and manufacturing.
History
Neodymium Magnets were first developed in the early 1980s by researchers at General Motors, who were looking for a more cost-effective and higher performance magnets than those available at the time. Following the identification of the potential for a new type of magnet, the General Motors-funded research team went on to develop the first commercially available version of these magnets, which was subsequently designated as ‘neodymium-iron-boron’ or ‘NdFeB’ magnets.
Today, Neodymium Magnets are popular because they are stronger by weight than any other kind of permanent magnet on the market. This makes them extremely advantageous in most cases where size and weight are factors, such as in automotive and aerospace industries.
Applications
NdFeB magnets are used in a wide range of industries and applications. Due to their extremely powerful magnetic properties, they are most popular in the medical, scientific and engineering fields, as well as industrial and manufacturing applications. This includes:
Medical: Neodymium magnets are used in MRI machines for scanners, as well as for relieving pain, diagnosing and therapy treatments in many medical disorders.
Engineering: Due to their lightweight and high strength, Neodymium magnets are commonly used in many engineering fields, and are particularly useful for creating powerful rotating magnetic fields for generators, motors and alternators.
Industrial and Manufacturing: Neodymium magnets are also used in many industrial and manufacturing applications, as they offer exceptional strength in a small package. This helps to minimize the space requirement without sacrificing the power of the magnet.
Specs and Standards
The ZB/H58003-1990 specs and standards outlines the exact parameters and properties of Neodymium Magnets, and governs their production, composition, testing and usage. The most important of these are the minimum flux density, maximum residual magnetic flux density and minimum coercive force.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Neodymium magnets are powerful and lightweight magnets that provide an exceptionally strong magnetic field in a small package. This makes them an ideal choice for applications where size and weight are factors, as well as in medical, scientific and engineering fields. To ensure the quality and safety of these magnets, their production and usage must follow the specs and standards set out in ZB/H58003-1990.
