What Are the Types of Magnets?

Magnets are among nature’s amazing objects with some special properties. They are objects that generate or create a magnetic field that can attract or repel certain types of materials, including iron and nickel. Because of these special properties, magnets are used for a variety of industrial purposes.

Magnets are made of different elements. In other words, not all magnets are made of the same elements. Based on their composition and magnetic properties, magnets can be broken down and categorized into three different types. Permanent magnets, temporary magnets, and electromagnets are the three main types of magnets available. Each type has its own unique properties.

Permanent Magnets

Permanent magnets are magnets that retain their magnetic properties after being magnetized. There are essentially four main types of permanent magnets.

Neodymium Ferrum Boron (NdFeB):
This type of magnet is known for its very high coercive force and is composed of a rare earth magnetic material. The magnet range is extremely high, even up to 50 MGOe.

Samarium Cobalt (SmCo):
This type of magnet, as mentioned above, is very difficult to demagnetize. It is a very strong magnet with high resistance to heat and oxidation.

Alnico:
The name Alnico is derived from the first two letters of each of its three main elements, and unlike the other two magnet types mentioned above, this magnet is easily demagnetized.

Ceramic or Ferrite:
This type of magnet is primarily composed of sintered iron oxide and strontium carbonate or barium. They are usually inexpensive and therefore easy to produce by pressing or sintering.

Temporary Magnets

Temporary magnets are magnets that behave like permanent magnets as long as they are in a magnetic field, but lose their magnetic properties as soon as they are removed. Temporary magnets vary greatly in their composition due to their peculiar nature.

Electromagnets

Electromagnets are essentially coils that act as magnets when an electric current passes through them. The strength of an electromagnet can be easily changed by simply changing the direction and strength of the electric current.

Magnets are fundamentally divided into three main groups, as mentioned above. Depending on their nature, these magnets are used in various industries. Therefore, it’s safe to say that magnets are one of the many useful elements we obtain from nature.