Ceramic Magnets
What are Ceramic Magnets?
Ceramic or ferrite magnets are low cost and light weight, and are a relatively high energy member of the permanent magnet family. Iron oxide and strontium carbonate, the two materials in ceramic magnets, are easily attainable and available at lower costs than other materials used to make permanent magnets. Being less expensive is one reason ceramic magnets are popular among the permanent magnets. Another reason for ceramic magnet's popularity is the ability to withstand operating temperatures of up to 480°F.
Common applications include:
- Numerous manufacturing or home applications
- Speaker magnets
- DC Motors
- Reed switches
- Sweepers
- MRI's
- Hall-Effect devices in assemblies
- Automotive Sensors
How are Ceramic Magnets made?
Ceramic magnets are made using a sintering process. The wet milling process produces slurry which is fed into a die. This material is pressed into a product which is later sintered at a high temperature. Once cooled, ceramic magnets are ground and cut to desired shapes.
Ceramic Grades 5 and 8
The most popular ceramic grades are 5 and 8. Grades 5 and 8 are considered anisotropic grades, which are the most powerful. This means they are only magnetized in the direction they are pressed.
What to be Aware of When Using Ferrite Magnets
Ceramic magnets are brittle and break easily. Because of this, you must be aware that it could chip, break, or even shatter if dropped or allowed to jump to something it is attracted to.
