Neodymium Magnet Coating Options

Neodymium magnets are available with a wide variety of coating and plating options. 

It is important to protect neodymium magnets as they will oxidize quickly without a protective coating. Below is a list of platings that are offered by totalElement. 

Nickel 

Nickel is the most common coating that you'll find on permanent magnets available from totalElement as well as most magnets available in the marketplace. This coating is generally applied as a triple coating with copper in the middle (Nickel-Copper-Nickel). It's great for indoor/outdoor use as long as it's protected from moisture. 

Nickel coating is also available as black nickel which has a shiny dark gray/charcoal color.

Electroless Nickel

Electroless Nickel coating is similar to regular nickel coating except that it is almost completely resistant to alkalies, salt/brine solutions, chemical and petroleum environments, and all types of hydrocarbons, solvents, ammonia solutions, and acids. This makes electroless nickel a great option for magnets that require corrosion resistance. 

Nickel vs Electroless Nickel Coating

Plastic

Plastic coating is super durable and highly corrosion resistant. It protects magnets from breaking on impact and prevents corrosion by creating a waterproof barrier between the magnet and the elements. This type of coating is available in any color and is more expensive than other types of coatings because it requires the use of an injection mold. 

The plastic coating is generally 1mm thick and does reduce the performance of the magnet due to its thickness. 

Shop Plastic Coated Magnets

Epoxy

Epoxy coating is typically black and applied on top of a triple layer Nickel coating (Ni-Cu-Ni-Epoxy). It offers superior performance in outdoor applications requiring corrosion resistance. This coating is softer than other coatings and prone to scratching which can expose the layers underneath causing the magnet to corrode. Epoxy coating is available in a wide variety of colors.

Shop Epoxy Coated Magnets

Zinc

Zinc is typically applied as a single layer coating. It offers great performance as a corrosion resistant coating and is also economically priced. As the zinc starts to oxidize, it forms a layer of zinc oxide which helps to protect the magnet.

Gold

Gold plated neodymium magnets are available with a very thin layer of 24k gold applied on top of a nickel coating. This type of gold-coated magnet is generally seen in magnetic therapy applications.

Silver

Silver plating is popular for medical applications. Silver plating exhibits good corrosion resistance, is biocompatible and inherently resistant to bacteria.

Everlube®

Everlube is an aluminized barrier coating formulated to maximize corrosion protection when applied to rare earth magnets. The coating is very durable and provides excellent chemical and corrosion resistance to a wide range of substances. 

Teflon® (PTFE) / Xylan®

Teflon is extremely resilient and can withstand all kinds of harsh environments. It is highly corrosion resistant. Teflon coating does not perform well with adhesive so it is not recommended in those types of applications. Teflon coating is available in a wide variety of colors.

Parylene

Parylene is an ultra-thin, pinhole-free polymer coating that provides superior resistance and improved abrasion resistance. It's often used in medical devices, electronics, transportation, and defense/aerospace applications.

Choosing the Right Coating

It can be difficult to select the best coating for your specific application due to the numerous factors that can impact a magnet's durability and performance. You can always get in touch with our magnet experts if you have any questions or want assistance selecting the right coating for your project.