Tips for Choosing the Right Magnet for the Job
You may know you want or need a magnet to accomplish a certain job or project, but do you know what type of magnet you need? There are a lot of different kinds of magnets, and you might not know what type is going to work best for your specific application. Knowing how magnets work and what types are best for different applications to get the right outcome can be tricky, but it’s our specialty. Here we’ll cover a few basic tips to help determine what magnet is going to be right for the job.
How to determine the type of magnet you need
Before you can figure out what type of magnet you need, you need to figure out what you need the magnet to do and how it’s going to function in your project. Here are few questions to get started with.
- Will the magnet require excessive strength?
- Does the size of the magnet matter?
- Will the magnet be attached directly onto a magnetic receptive surface or will something be in between the two?
- Will you be lining magnets up to magnets?
- Will the magnet need to withstand high temperatures?
- Is price a concern?
Different Types of Magnets & Their Common Uses
Now that you’ve thought about what you need your magnet to do and how it will be used, let’s break down the most common types of magnets and their uses.
Flexible Strip & Sheet Magnets
These are thin, flexible, rubber magnets that, depending on size, either come in sheets or on a roll. They can be easily cut to size with scissors and can also be purchased with a high-tack adhesive backing for easy and convenient sticking without glue. They are not as strong as other magnets so should not be used if excessive strength is needed or if there is going to be any other material between the magnet and what it is attracting. Flexible magnets can be directly printed on making them a favorite for marketing and signs. There can however be issues with poles not lining up correctly, so they may not be the best option if trying to go magnet to magnet.
Common applications for flexible strip & sheet magnets include:
- Business cards
- Menu boards
- P.O.P. signage
- Tradeshow booths
- Warehouse labels, POS signage,
- Magnetic notepads and calendars
Neodymium Magnets
Neodymium magnets pack a powerful punch into a small compact size. They are a good choice anytime you need a lot of holding power. Neodymium magnets can be buried within packaging or between materials and still have enough strength to create a strong bond. They can be lined up magnet to magnet without any issues as well.
Common applications for neodymium magnets include:
- Package closures
- Audio equipment
- Dentures
- Door catches
- Motors and generators
- Jewelry
- Bearings
- Levitation devices
- P.O.P. Displays
- Crafts & Modelmaking
- Art hanging
Ceramic Magnets
Ceramic magnets are a hard magnet like neodymium magnets, but they are not nearly as strong. They can, however, withstand temperatures up to 400ﹾF without losing their holding strength. They are often used in magnetic assemblies such as round base magnets, channel magnets and sandwich assemblies, where they are surrounded by steel, which greatly increases their strength. Ceramic magnets also tend to be less expensive when compared to other hard magnets.
Common applications for ceramic magnets include:
- Loudspeakers
- Motors and generators
- Switches
- Sweeper magnets
- DIY home projects & experiments
- Lifting and separating machinery
- Fridge and whiteboard magnets
- Classroom and store displays
- High temperature applications
Find the Perfect Magnet for Your Application
With so many different types of magnetics, it can be difficult to know which magnet is right for your job. If after reading through our tips you still need a little help figuring out exactly what you need, give us a call at 763.540.9497 or contact us online. We’d be more than happy to assist you in choosing the magnet that fits your project perfectly.
