Home » Magnetic Sweeper Buying Tips » The differences between rare earth magnets and ceramic magnets

The difference between rare earth magnets and ceramic magnets

Magnets are objects that generate magnetic fields. These magnetic fields allow magnets to attract certain metals from a distance without touching them. Some magnets occur naturally, while others are man-made. While there are many different types of magnets, two of the most popular man-made magnets are ceramic magnets and neodymium magnets.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Rare-earth magnets and ceramic magnets are both types of permanent magnets; they are both composed of materials which, once given a magnetic charge, will retain their magnetism for years unless they become damaged. Not all permanent magnets are the same, however. Rare-earth and ceramic magnets differ in their strength and resilience because they are made from different metal alloys.

Ceramic Magnets

For years all magnets were natural magnets such as lodestone, a naturally magnetic iron ore. In 1952 magnets were made out of ceramic for the first time. By making magnets out of ceramic, engineers were able to make magnets into any shape they wanted. By making the ceramic magnets out of carefully created mixtures, more powerful magnet fields than were possible in nature could be generated. Ceramic magnets were less expensive and more powerful and quickly became popular. Ceramic magnets are also called hard ceramic magnets or ferric magnets. They are made from strontium or barium ferrite.

Rare Earth Magnets

There are two types of rare-earth magnets: samarium cobalt (SmCo) and neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB). SmCo and NdFeB magnets are called “rare earth” because they are made from the rare earth, or lanthanide series, of the periodic table of elements.


Relative Strength of Ceramic versus Rare Earth Magnets


Relative Resistance to Thermal Stress of Ceramic versus Rare Earth Magnets


Relative Durability of Ceramic versus Rare Earth Magnets


Benefits of Each

Ceramic and neodymium magnets each have different benefits. Ceramic magnets are easy to magnetize. They are very resistant to corrosion and generally do not need extra coatings for corrosion protection. They are resistant to demagnetization by outside fields. They are stronger than natural magnets, though many other types of magnet are stronger than them. They are relatively inexpensive. Neodymium magnets are the most powerful of all permanent magnets. A neodymium magnet can lift more than any other type of magnet of the same size. They are extremely resistant to demagnetization by external magnetic fields.

Drawbacks of Each

Ceramic and neodymium magnets have different drawbacks as well. Ceramic magnets are extremely brittle and easily broken. They cannot be used in machinery that experiences a lot of stress or flexing. They become demagnetized if they are exposed to high temperatures (above 480 degrees Fahrenheit.) They have only a moderate magnetic strength, making them unsuitable for applications requiring powerful magnetic fields. Neodymium magnets are relatively more expensive than ceramic magnets. They rust very easily, and extra steps must be taken to protect them from corrosion. Neodymium magnets are also very brittle and will crack under stress. They lose their magnetism if exposed to temperatures above 175 to 480 degrees Fahrenheit (depending on the exact alloy used).

Share on facebook
Share on google
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on pinterest
Share on email
Share on print

Go ahead, share it…

Follow us on Facebook I Subscribe to our YouTube Channel