Nd is a chemical element with the symbol Nd and atomic number 60. It is a soft, silvery metal that tarnishes in air. It is abundant in the minerals monazite and bastnäsite, which are found in fluorocarbonates and ores of cerium and iron. Nd does not occur naturally in its metallic form nor it mixes with other lanthanides, and is typically refined for general use. Although it is categorized as a rare earth element, it is quite common. It is not rarer than cobalt, copper, and nickel, and is widely available in the earth's crust.
Shapes of neodymium magnets
When customers need to choose from neodymium magnets of different shapes, strengths, and sizes, they are offered with a variety of shapes. Neodymium magnets are popular and widely used due to their unique shape and strength, and customers can also customize them according to their own needs. Neodymium magnets are made of boron, iron, and neodymium, and this mixture of three elements makes these magnets the strongest and most powerful magnets available on earth.
Different needs require different shapes of neodymium magnets. When designing magnets for your needs, you may need small, simple, and powerful magnets, or irregularly shaped magnets to meet different needs. But now, you don't need to search for different shapes of neodymium magnets in the market, because general factories that specialize in making strong magnets can provide various shapes.
Coating process of neodymium magnets
The problem with neodymium is that it is prone to corrosion. As time goes by, it corrodes upon exposure to oxygen and moisture. Fortunately, coatings are available for neodymium magnets. The coating serves as a protective barrier that prevents oxygen and moisture from reaching the neodymium material of the magnet. All shapes of magnets have a nickel coating to prevent rust.
The most common coating type for neodymium magnets is nickel
During the electroplating process, a thick layer of nickel (nickel-copper-nickel) is plated onto these magnets. Nickel is a natural antioxidant. Therefore, it is often used for neodymium magnet coatings and electroplating applications. The nickel coating provides a protective layer for the magnet to prevent oxidation. The surface is stainless steel in color, the anti-oxidation effect is relatively good, the appearance is glossy, the internal performance is relatively stable, and the service life is relatively long, and it can pass the 24-72 hours salt spray test.
Gold-plated neodymium magnets
Gold provides a higher level of antioxidant protection than copper. It does not rust or corrode. Gold is actually considered one of the least active metals on the periodic table. Nevertheless, gold coatings also have some drawbacks. First, gold is expensive. Neodymium magnets with gold coatings are usually more expensive than those with alternative coatings. A gold coating can also be rubbed off. Once the coating starts to wear in any given area, the neodymium material is exposed to oxygen and moisture.
Zinc-plated strong magnets
The surface is silver-white and is suitable for applications where surface appearance and anti-oxidation requirements are not particularly high, with low cost, which can be used with general adhesive (such as AB glue). Zinc is an independent (one-layer) plating, and when it starts to oxidize, the outside turns white, making it prone to rust.
Epoxy resin plating
The black epoxy resin coating consists of three layers of nickel, copper, and epoxy resin, exposed on the top layer. It is suitable for outdoor use. However, the drawback of the black epoxy resin coating is that it is not as wear-resistant as other coatings. Under harsh weather conditions, the epoxy resin layer may be scraped off by external factors, revealing the copper layer inside. Epoxy resin coated magnets are cathodic immersion paint coatings, which are different from epoxy resin coating and rubber coating magnets. Epoxy resin coating has special stability in humid environment and in contact with weak acid and alkali and salt solution, and is costly. The quality of the neodymium magnet coating directly affects its service life. The quality of electroplating depends on the strength of the factory, so it is very important to choose a factory with strength.
