Under ideal conditions, a permanent rare-earth magnet can continue performing indefinitely. But achieving “ideal conditions” is easier said than done. Because as strong as neodymium and other rare earth magnets are, they do have a sensitive side. Knowing what to watch for will ensure your magnets perform without any interference for as long as you need them to remain in service. 

How to Care for Your Magnets

Keeping a magnet in perfect condition requires you to physically handle it properly and maintain an environment free of obstructions. Here’s what you should beware:

1. Cracks in the coating.

Magnets that are vulnerable to corrosion, like neodymium magnets, require coatings to protect them from moisture. But a small crack or ship in the coating can cause the magnet to corrode over time, eventually destroying it. Best practice: Coated magnets should be regularly inspected for coating damage. These magnets should also be inspected before each and every use to ensure they’re less likely to fail when needed. It’s also crucial to pick the proper coating. Nickel, plastic, rubber, and others all provide their own unique benefits and drawbacks, so speak to an expert if you’re unsure which is best for your application.

2. Humidity.

Because moisture leads to corrosion, magnets should ideally be stored and used in dry environments. Best practice: Control the humidity levels within your facility to keep moisture levels low. If the humidity can’t be controlled, use magnets with coatings to prevent corrosion.

3. Electrical currents.

When an electric current flows through a wire, the moving electrons create a magnetic field. Consequently, ferromagnetic materials could be attracted to the wire, possibly interfering with the fields produced by nearby magnets. Best practice: Shielding electric currents, either with a thick insulator or a diamagnetic material, will keep them from interfering with nearby magnets. Using magnets at a distance from strong electric currents may also prevent interference.

4. Physical negligence.

While magnets are powerful tools, many are relatively brittle by design. Sudden impacts from dropping or slamming against other magnets can cause the magnets or their coatings to chip. This damage will interfere with the magnet’s effectiveness. Best practice: Everyone who is allowed contact with magnets should understand both their fragility and how to handle them. In addition, magnets should be stored properly to prevent sudden collisions.

5. Extreme temperatures.

As we’ve said before, extreme heat ruins magnets, completely removing their magnetic properties. Extremely cold temperatures can also reduce a magnet’s effectiveness. Best practice: Before using a magnet in an extreme environment, check with its manufacturer to understand its ideal temperature range. To be safe, store magnets in cool environments. If they are exposed to high temperatures, immediately return them to room temperature and test them before using them again. It’s possible that the magnets will still work, but their magnetism could have been lowered.

6. Other magnets.

The fact that magnets are attracted to each other poses two problems. First, as we’ve said previously, sudden impacts can cause damage. Second, the mutual attraction can interfere with attracting other materials. Best practice: Keep magnets separated at a safe distance so they operate without interference. Now that you know how to properly care for magnets, you can begin looking for the ideal magnet in your facility. Apex Magnets offers a wide selection of magnets for you to choose from.