About Neodymium Magnets

According to Merriam Webster, neo·dym·i·um – pronounced nē-ō-ˈdi-mē-um – is a silver-white to yellow colored metallic element (symbol Nd) of the rare earth group that is used primarily in magnets and lasers.

We use the description "magnetized thru thickness" to identify the locations of the poles on our block magnets. Thickness is always the last listed dimension and is also usually the smallest. For most of our block magnets, that means that the magnets stick or repel in the middle, on the large flat surfaces, rather than at the end of the block.   A neodymium magnet can be magnetized in a handful of different directions. Rare earth magnets (NdFeb) vary in shape, and each shape has its own magnetization direction options.  Learn more about all the different magnetization direction options for rare earth magnets here.

Neodymium magnets are composed mainly of neodymium, iron, and boron. If they are not plated, the iron in the material will oxidize, particularly if exposed to moisture. Even normal humidity will rust any iron over time. In order to preserve and protect the lasting performance of each magnet’s magnetic field, most neodymium magnets are plated or coated.Nickel is the most common choice, as it is durable and cost-effective. Our magnets are coated with a triple plating of nickel/copper/nickel. This creates a shiny silver finish and provides dependable resistance to corrosion in most applications. If you are interested in different coating...

All magnets work because of their unique atomic structure. Unlike all other objects, the atoms within magnets are all spinning in the same direction. This atomic flow inside of each magnet creates an invisible magnetic force or field around the magnet that can attract or repel other magnets – and attract other metal objects. In addition, all magnets have a north and south pole on opposite sides of the magnet. The north pole of a magnet points roughly toward earth's north pole and vice-versa. In terms of functionality, the common saying is: like poles repel, unlike poles attract.

Neodymium magnets are a type of rare earth magnet, often called permanent magnets, and are considered the strongest magnets in the world. They are up to 10 times stronger than all other ferrite, ceramic, or alnico magnets of equal size. Neodymium magnets are made by combining neodymium, iron, and boron to create an alloy that is then processed and shaped into the desired size. The resulting magnet is very strong for its size and is often used in applications where a strong magnetic field is needed in a small space. Neodymium magnets are brittle and can be easily damaged. They are also...