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What materials can I use to block/shield magnetic fields?

Do you find yourself grappling with the concept of magnetic shielding? Pondering if it's feasible to have a magnet exert pull only from one side? Or perhaps you're in need of protecting a delicate device from magnetic interferences. In that case, this article will provide you with invaluable insights into the process of manipulating magnetic fields.

To start, it's crucial to understand that fields cannot be blocked. There is nothing that can stop the continual passage of magnetic flux lines between the magnetic poles of a magnet. However, it is possible to redirect these lines.

Materials for Magnetic Shielding

The best material for magnetic shielding is any ferromagnetic metal. This includes materials that contain iron, nickel, or cobalt.

These materials have high magnetic permeability, meaning they can easily absorb and redirect magnetic fields. When placed in the path of a magnetic field, ferromagnetic shields attract and channel the field lines, effectively reducing the magnetic field strength in the protected area. The thickness and composition of the shield determine its effectiveness.

Most steel types, including our steel discs and plates, are ferromagnetic and serve well for redirecting shields. They are preferred due to their affordability and widespread availability. However, do note that certain stainless steels, particularly those in the 300 series, are not ferromagnetic.

It's also worth noting that our pot magnets are designed with this principle in mind. These specific products incorporate steel to efficiently reduce the field off one side, focusing the magnetic pull in the desired direction. This intelligent design not only optimizes the strength of the neodymium magnet but also offers the versatility needed for varied applications.

 

Determining the Shield Thickness

The shield's thickness is a critical aspect to consider, which depends on various factors. These include the size and nature of the magnetic field you're looking to shield, what you're shielding it from, and the shape of your shield. When the shield is too thin, it can become saturated, failing to hold more flux lines. Therefore, it should be thick enough to accommodate as much flux as possible.

As the thickness of a steel wall fluctuates, you will notice variations in the magnetic field as well. When the material is saturated, the flux breaks out to the other side, journeying through the air. In such scenarios, multiple layers of material are usually deployed.


Exploring Other Metals

While steel is a common choice, other metals, such as brass, copper and aluminum can also be used to block or shield against magnetic fields, but they are not as effective as iron or steel.

There are also specialized materials are specifically designed for magnetic shielding. For instance, MuMetal, an industry-standard material defined in Milspec 14411C, is widely used. Most of these specialized materials contain a high nickel content, either 50% or 80%.


Increase Distance

It is also possible to reduce the strength of a magnetic field by increasing the distance between the magnet or source of the magnetic field and the object you want to protect. The strength of a magnetic field decreases with distance, so increasing the distance between the magnetic field and the object will reduce the strength.


Conclusion

Choosing the right material for your shielding needs is dependent on the specific problem you're looking to address. For delicate electronics or low field strength, MuMetal may provide superior shielding than steel. But for applications involving large, powerful neodymium magnets, like those we offer, the higher saturation point of steel may be more suitable. In many instances, a steel sheet-metal shield often turns out to be the ideal solution.


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