Purchasing magnets can be an overwhelming task, especially if you are not familiar with key magnetic terms. For instance, when you are filling out your Apex custom magnet request form, you may not know what the terms “magnetic strength rating” or “direction of magnetization” mean. Without understanding magnetic terminology, your request form may not directly align with your magnetic needs. However, there’s no need to worry — Apex Magnets is here to help! We’ve highlighted some of the key magnetic terms that are helpful to understand when purchasing magnets for your business.

Magnetic Terminology

  • Coercivity: The resistance of a magnetic material to demagnetization.
  • Curie temperature: The temperatures above which ferromagnetic materials become paramagnetic, losing substantially all of their permanent magnetic properties. The materials will no longer have a magnetic attraction but will remain attracted to other magnets.
  • Electromagnet: A magnet formed by current flowing through a conductor. The electrical conductor may be wire, copper plate or strips of foil and may exist with a permeable material such as steel to conduct the field to desired areas. The magnetic field exists only so long as current flows through the coil.
  • Flux in magnetic fields: Typically, flux refers to flow; however, in magnetic fields, flux is the magnetic lines of force that are measured in gauss or tesla. 
  • Gauss: The unit of magnetic induction, B. Its principle of operation is usually based on one of the following: the Hall effect, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), or the rotating coil principle.
  • Magnetic field: The measurement of strength and direction at a specific point. This would be expressed in Gauss or Tesla (note that 1 Tesla equals 10,000 Gauss).
  • Magnetization diagrams: magnetization chart
  • N rating: Neodymium magnets are graded by the magnetic material they are made from. In general, the higher the grade of material, the stronger the magnet. Neodymium magnets currently range in commercial grades from N27 to N54. The theoretical limit for Neodymium magnets is grade N64. The grade of most of our stock magnets is N48.
  • North and south magnetic poles: The north pole of a magnet, or compass, is attracted toward the north geographic pole of the earth (which is actually, by definition, a magnetic south pole), and the south pole of a magnet is attracted toward the south geographic pole of the earth. The letter "N,” and the other pole by the letter "S" designate the north-seeking pole of a compass or of a magnet. The magnet's N (north) pole will attract the S (south) pole of another magnet: unlike poles attract.
  • Permanent magnet: A magnet, such as Neodymium magnets, that retains its magnetic properties when removed from a magnetic field.
    • Alnico magnets: Alnico stands for the components that make them up━aluminum, nickel and cobalt; they are not as powerful as other permanent magnets, but they can be used in basic applications like fridge magnets.
    • Ceramic/Ferrite magnets: A commonly used magnet that is less expensive than other permanent magnets; they are a cost-effective option for holding up lightweight objects.
    • Neodymium magnets: One of the most common and powerful permanent magnets; they offer a secure and strong hold. 
    • Samarium Cobalt magnets: These types of magnets are best known for retaining its magnetism at extremely high or low temperatures; ideal for applications in which unusually high or low temperatures are a factor.
  • Pull force: The force needed to pull two magnets apart, or to remove a magnet from some other surface, like steel.
  • Tesla: An SI unit for magnetic flux density, defined by Faraday's Law. A Tesla represents a volt-second per square meter per turn. One Tesla equals 10,000 Gauss.

Purchase Magnets From Apex Magnets!

At Apex Magnets, we offer a wide range of magnets for your business needs — from Samarium Cobalt disc magnets to Neodymium countersunk magnets, we’ve got you covered. Whether you know what magnets your business needs or if you are unsure, we’re here to help! Contact us today at 1.304.257.1193 to purchase your magnets. Remember, all orders placed before 3 pm EST will ship out the same day, excluding Sunday.  Additionally, we offer magnets that can be customized to your business needs and goals. All you have to do is fill out our custom magnet request form to the best of your ability and we’ll review your RFQ within 1-2 business days. Magnets can be a bit confusing so we at Apex Magnets take the time to review your request and help you through the process. Customer service is important to us and we are happy to help in every way we can. For a guide on how to get custom orders, click here.