How are permanent magnets made?
Magnets are made differently depends on the type of the magnets, the following is the various manufacturing methods for permanent magnets. Let's summarize:
1. Sintering: This process involves meticulously mixing raw materials like neodymium, iron, and boron and heating them to high temperatures in a vacuum environment. The resulting material is then cooled and magnetized, aligning the atomic structure to impart magnetic properties. This method is commonly used for neodymium magnets.
2. Casting: Casting is employed for certain types of permanent magnets like AlNiCo. In this method, the mixed material is melted and poured into molds. After cooling, the magnet is machined to achieve precise dimensions and magnetized according to design.
3. Bonding: Bonded magnets are created by combining magnetic powders with a binding agent and molding them into the desired shape. The mixture is then subjected to intense pressure or heat to form a solid magnet. This approach offers flexibility in shaping and is highly customizable for various applications.
In all these manufacturing techniques, precision and strict adherence to manufacturing tolerances are essential to ensure that the resulting magnets meet the desired strength and quality standards. These methods have enabled the production of a wide range of permanent magnets, each tailored to specific applications across various industries.