Rare Earth Magnets
The term rare earth magnet is a general term that refers to magnets that are made from alloys of rare earth elements, typically either neodymium iron boron or samarium cobalt. Both of these rare earth alloys are manufactured by a powdered metal process, but the resulting magnets have several distinct differences.
Dura Magnetics offers industry-leading rare earth magnet design and engineering.
Neodymium (Rare Earth) Magnets
Neodymium is the strongest available rare earth magnet alloy at up to 55MGOe and temperatures up to 230°C/446°F.
Samarium Cobalt (Rare Earth) Magnets
Samarium Cobalt magnets are available in grades 16 to 35 MGOe with operating temperatures up to 350°C/662°F.
Some of the differences between neodymium rare earth magnets and samarium cobalt rare earth magnets include:
- Neodymium iron boron rare earth magnets are highly reactive to environmental conditions, whereas samarium cobalt rare earth magnets are very corrosion resistant.
- Samarium cobalt rare earth magnets will withstand high temperatures without demagnetizing, while care must be used when utilizing neodymium above ambient room temperatures.
- Neodymium iron boron rare earth magnets are moderately priced and offer a good value when compared to performance. Samarium cobalt magnets are considerably more expensive due to their cobalt content.
- Neodymium iron boron rare earth magnets are less brittle than samarium cobalt rare earth magnets and are easier to machine and integrate into magnetic assemblies. Both alloys require diamond tooling, EDM, or abrasive grinding when machining.
More information about neodymium rare earth magnets and samarium cobalt rare earth magnets can be found within each material-specific section of this website.
DFARS & ITAR Compliance
Limited availability of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) compliant material can make small magnet production runs costly. However, we stock various grades at our U.S. facility, enabling us to provide cost-effective, DFARS-compliant magnets for all customers if needed, regardless of project size or requirements.
We are also registered and compliant with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). This qualifies us to work with items listed on the United States Munitions List (USML). We are also ITAR registered with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC).