What Are the Different Types of Magnets That Exist Today?
Magnets have helped humans navigate since the dawn of time. This is why magnets are common in almost any industry. After all, not all materials are magnetic alone. For a business or designer, this means understanding the different types of magnets will help you make the right choices.
Fortunately, we’ve broken it all down for you. Here’s what you need to know about the most popular magnets.
Permanent Magnets
Permanent magnets are magnets that stay magnetized and don’t need an outside magnetic field to maintain their magnetism. There are many different types of permanent magnets, including Neodymium magnets, Samarium-Cobalt magnets, Alnico magnets, and ceramic block magnets. Each type of permanent magnet has different properties and so is used for different purposes.
Electromagnets
An electromagnet is a type of magnet which uses electricity to create a magnetic field. They are commonly used in electrical items such as motors and solenoids. Electromagnets can be turned on and off by controlling the flow of electricity, which makes them very versatile.
Electromagnets can be found in a variety of everyday objects, such as doorbells, hard drives, and electric motors. They are also used in more specialized applications, such as particle accelerators and MRI machines.
Flexible Magnets
Flexible magnets are a type of magnet that is made from a ferromagnetic material that is flexible and can be bent or warped. Flexible magnets are often used in applications where a traditional magnet would be too brittle or rigid, such as in display graphics or in magnetic therapy.
There are two main types of flexible magnets:
- ferrite magnets
- rare-earth magnets
Ferrite magnets are made from iron oxide and are often used in inexpensive magnetic applications. Rare-earth magnets are made from rare-earth metals and are much stronger than ferrite magnets.
Temporary Magnets
A temporary magnet is a magnet that is only magnetic for a short period of time. It can be made by passing a magnetized object, such as a piece of iron, through a coil of wire with an electric current running through it. The current passing through the coil creates a magnetic field that demagnetizes the iron.
Temporary magnets are often used in electric motors and generators.
Industrial Magnets
An industrial magnet is a type of magnet that is specifically designed for use in an industrial setting. These magnets are often much larger and more powerful than the magnets that are used in consumer products.
Industrial magnets are used in a variety of applications, including material handling, lifting, and separation.
How do Businesses Benefit From Different Types of Magnets?
There are different types of magnets used in many businesses for a variety of purposes. One common use is in magnetic separators.
These are used to remove metal contaminants from raw materials. This is important in food and pharmaceutical manufacturing, where metal contaminants could cause serious health problems.
Magnets are also used to generate electric power in some power plants. In transportation, magnets are used in magnetic levitation trains and in some car brakes. Magnets have become very versatile, from being used in small objects to strong magnets running factories.
For more on this topic, feel free to visit the rest of our blog!
Yvan Lebrun is a trusted expert in the field of product & service reviews. With over a decade of experience analyzing and comparing services online, he shares his valuable experience with readers at GoodSitesLike so consumers can make educated decisions before making a purchase.
