The rare earth magnets are regarded as the the most useful and powerful properties, they are widely used for different application, this is also the phenomenon we have seen that "Magnets are everywhere", but how do you know about these strong material? In this article, we would like to discuss about the most common ideas on them.
Rare earth magnets present a vast world of amazing properties that today are some of the most useful properties in the world. Instead of coming directly from the earth, the magnets are created by humans, using common metals in the earth to create strong alloys that become the magnets themselves. They are often the object of many ignorant myths; here are two of the most common and the correct ideas behind them.
Myth #1: Rare Earth Magnets Are Made of Rare Earth Metals
Actually, the exact opposite is true. The materials used to create these magnets were named “rare earth metals†back in the days when the periodic table was under development. These elements were metallic chemical elements that were considered to be rare. Specifically, they are those on the periodic table with atomic numbers between 57 and 71. The metals themselves have never lost the name “rareâ€, even though today they are nearly as abundant as lead or tin; the name has now been passed on to the magnets as well. However, in addition to these special elements, the magnets also have some transition metals in their makeup such as iron, nickel, and cobalt. These metals, when combined with the rare earth metals, allow the magnets to perform under higher temperatures and to offer more magnetic field strength. The alloys also help to strengthen the actual magnet; since they are already brittle, the transition metals help them to stay in a usable form. Rare earth metals are also called permanent magnets because once the magnets have entered a magnetic field, they retain the magnetic strength even when they are withdrawn from the field. This can be a very beneficial quality for special applications, and is one reason that the rare earth magnets are so important to today’s society.
Myth #2: Rare Earth Magnets Are Very Dangerous
These magnets, while somewhat dangerous, are definitely not lethal. In fact, their main danger comes in the form of pinching between either two separate magnets or a magnet and a metal surface. If the magnets are strong enough and are pulled together with sudden force, they can break small bones such fingers. While this is definitely not a common occurrence, it can happen; therefore you should always exercise caution when working with strong magnets. Rare earth magnets can also cause damage to your intestinal tract if they are swallowed. Lastly, these magnets can also be dangerous to your wallet. They are strong enough to desensitize magnetic strips on credit cards or erase information on hard disks.
These two myths are perhaps the most well-known myths in the public magnetic world. Instead of being made of precious metals, they are actually made of fairly common elements. In addition, if they are used with care, they hardly present any danger at all. Instead, they are a valuable asset to many different individuals and industries.
