The Ultimate Buyer's Guide to Industrial Magnets

Magnets are used across thousands of industrial, commercial and technical applications, from separating metal contamination and filtering industrial fluids to lifting steel, holding workpieces and bespoke applications.

Not all magnets are the same. The right magnet depends on factors such as required magnetic strength, required pull force or torque, operating temperature, corrosion resistance, application environment and how and where the magnet will be used.

This guide explains the main types of industrial magnets, the most common magnet materials, where magnets are used and how to choose the right magnetic solution for your application.

What Are Industrial Magnets?

Industrial magnets are magnetic components or systems designed to perform a specific function within a manufacturing, engineering, processing or commercial application.

They can be supplied as individual stock magnets, magnetic tools and components, or incorporated into complete magnetic systems such as:

• Magnetic separators
• Filters
• Lifters
• Magnetic chucks and workholding systems
• Tools and workshop aids
• Magnetic assemblies
• Bespoke magnetic components

Industrial magnets can be permanent magnets, electromagnets or part of a larger magnetic assembly. The best choice depends on the performance requirements of the application.

How Do You Choose the Right Magnet?

There is not necessarily a single "best" magnet for every application. The right magnet is determined by a combination of magnetic performance, environmental conditions and design requirements.

Before selecting a magnet, consider:

1. Required magnetic strength – How much magnetic force (pull or push force) or flux density (field strength) is required?  Or even how much torque is required.
2. Operating temperature – What temperature range will the magnet experience?
3. Corrosion exposure – Will the magnet be exposed to moisture, chemicals or other corrosive environments (e.g. hydrogen atmosphere for NdFeB can cause severe structural degradation).
4. Available space – Does the application require maximum magnetic performance from a small magnet?
5. Magnetic stability – Does the magnetic output need to remain as consistent as possible with temperature fluctuations?
6. Physical requirements – What shape, size or fixing method is required?
7. Application – Is the magnet being used for separation, filtration, lifting, workholding, switching/triggering or as part of a component?
8. Quantity and cost – Is an off-the-shelf magnet suitable, or would a custom design provide better performance or value?

Understanding the different magnet materials is an important first step.

Common industrial magnet materials

The four most widely used permanent magnet materials are neodymium iron boron (neodymium, or NdFeB), samarium cobalt (SmCo), ferrite and alnico. Each has different properties and is suited to different applications.

Magnet Material	Main Characteristics	Typical Applications
Neodymium (NdFeB)	Very high magnetic strength; excellent performance where space is limited	Magnetic separation, door catches, motors, assemblies, filtration and industrial components
Samarium Cobalt (SmCo)	Excellent temperature stability and high resistance to demagnetisation	Aerospace, automotive, sensors, motors, generators and high-temperature applications
Ferrite / Ceramic	Cost-effective, corrosion resistant and suitable for many general applications	Pot magnets, generators, speakers, holding and general industrial applications
Alnico	Excellent temperature stability and high-temperature performance	Sensors, bearings, switching, holding, and high-temperature applications

 

Neodymium magnets

Neodymium magnets, also known as NdFeB (Neodymium Iron Boron) or rare earth magnets, provide, size for size, the highest magnetic performance of the main permanent magnet materials.

Their high strength makes them particularly useful when a strong magnetic field is required from a relatively small magnet. This makes neodymium magnets suitable for many applications where space and weight are important considerations.

Neodymium magnets are used across a wide range of industrial applications, including magnetic separation, filtration, lifting, automation and bespoke magnetic assemblies.

They are available in a wide range of grades, shapes and sizes.

Best suited to: applications requiring high magnetic strength or high magnetic performance in a compact design.

Samarium cobalt magnets

Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) is another rare earth magnet material. While it generally provides less magnetic strength than neodymium at room temperature, it offers excellent performance in demanding temperature environments (from near to −273°C up to +350°C).

SmCo has high resistance to demagnetisation and good corrosion resistance (excellent corrosion resistance with the SmCo 1:5  alloy). It is therefore often selected for applications where temperature stability and reliability are more important than achieving the maximum magnetic strength from the smallest possible magnet.

Typical applications include aerospace, automotive, military, sensors, motors, generators, and other high-temperature applications.

Best suited to: high-temperature, high-stability and demanding technical applications.

Ferrite magnets

Ferrite magnets, also known as ceramic magnets, are a cost-effective permanent magnet material widely used in industrial and commercial applications.

Ferrite magnets generally provide lower magnetic strength than rare earth magnets, but they offer good corrosion resistance and can be an economical choice where very high magnetic performance is not required.

Typical applications include motors, generators, loudspeakers, holding applications and general purpose magnetic components.

Best suited to: cost-sensitive applications where moderate magnetic performance is sufficient.

Alnico magnets

Alnico magnets are made primarily from aluminium (Al), nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co). They are particularly valued for their excellent temperature stability and ability to operate at very high temperatures (450-550°C).

Alnico magnets are also relatively easy to magnetise and demagnetise, making them useful for certain switching applications.

They are used in applications including sensors, meters, magnetic switches, holding systems and high-temperature environments.

Best suited to: high-temperature applications and applications requiring stable magnetic performance.

Industrial magnets by application

The material is only one part of choosing the right magnet. In many industrial applications, the most important question is what the magnet needs to do and, from the application, the best magnetic materials and grades can be selected.

1. Magnetic separation

Magnetic separators remove ferrous and paramagnetic metal contamination from products and process streams.

Magnetic separation is widely used in industries where metal contamination could damage equipment, interrupt production or compromise product quality.

Eclipse Magnetics' range includes magnetic grids, tubes, rods, drums, pneumatic, liquid separators, rotary magnets, pipeline separators and other high-intensity magnetic separation systems.

Typical processing applications include:

• Food
• Pharmaceutical
• Chemical
• Plastic and recycling
• Sugar
• Quarrying and aggregates
• Powder and granular
• Liquid

For example, magnets can be positioned at critical control points in a production process to capture ferrous particles from flour, sugar, powders, granules, liquids and other materials.

2. Magnetic filtration

Magnetic filtration uses high-performance magnets to remove ferrous contamination from industrial fluids such as coolant, cutting fluid, glycol, oil and other metalworking liquids.  They can also be used in a variety of chemical processing plants and in industrial and domestic heating and cooling systems.

Magnetic filtration is particularly valuable in metalworking and precision machining because fine ferrous particles can circulate through a system, contributing to equipment wear, fluid contamination, poor surface finishes and increased maintenance.

Magnetic filtration systems can help extend fluid life, reduce consumable filter usage, minimise waste and improve process efficiency.

Eclipse Magnetics supplies manual and automated magnetic filtration systems, including solutions for CNC machining, grinding, honing, lapping, turning, drilling and other precision metalworking applications.

3. Magnetic lifting and handling

Magnetic lifting magnets provide a way of safely lifting and handling ferrous materials such as steel plate, components and other magnetic loads.

Magnetic lifting systems are used in manufacturing, fabrication, warehouses, assembly operations and automated handling systems.

Depending on the application, magnetic lifting can offer:

• Fast engagement and release
• Single-person operation
• Accurate positioning
• Reduced manual handling
• Access to a single face of the load
• Reduced risk of surface damage
• Integration with automated pick-and-place systems

Eclipse Magnetics offers magnetic lifters and handling systems ranging from manual permanent magnetic lifters to electronically and pneumatically activated systems.

4. Magnetic workholding

Magnetic workholding systems use magnetic force to hold ferrous workpieces securely during machining.

Magnetic chucks are widely used for grinding, milling and cutting. They can provide rapid workpiece setup while leaving more of the workpiece accessible for machining.

Magnetic workholding can be particularly useful for applications requiring:

• Fast setup
• Accurate positioning
• Repeatable clamping
• Reduced vibration
• Multi-face machining
• Access for drilling and cutting
• Multi-part machining

Eclipse Magnetics offers permanent magnetic chucks and electro-permanent magnetic workholding systems.

Stock magnets for components and everyday industrial applications

Not every magnetic application requires a complete magnetic system.

Standard or stock magnets can be used as individual components or incorporated into a much larger product or machine.  They can also be used for R&D work to help you determine the size and shape of magnet you may need in your final application.

Common stock magnet formats include:

• Disc magnets
• Ring magnets
• Block magnets
• Pot magnets
• Channel magnets
• Button magnets
• Horseshoe magnets
• Flexible magnets
• Electromagnets
• Magnetic tools and workshop aids

These magnets can be used for holding, positioning, sensing, switching, fixing, clamping and many other functions.

For example, a standard neodymium magnet could form part of a sensor assembly, magnetic closure, fixture, automated handling mechanism or bespoke product.

This means that an industrial magnet does not necessarily need to be a complete solution in itself. The right stock magnet can sometimes provide the magnetic element within a much larger component or assembly.

Bespoke magnets and magnetic assemblies

Sometimes an off-the-shelf magnet is not the best solution due to the size, shape, grade or desired magnetisation axis availability.

A bespoke magnet or magnetic assembly can be designed around the exact requirements of the application, including the available space, required magnetic performance, fixing method, operating temperature and surrounding components.

Custom magnetic solutions can include:

• Bespoke magnet shapes and sizes
• Different coating type
• Custom magnetic assemblies
• Magnets incorporated into housings
• Insert-moulded magnetic assemblies
• Rubber over-moulded magnets
• Custom magnetic patterns
• Magnets designed into equipment or components

A bespoke approach can provide benefits such as improved performance, reduced size, lower component costs, easier installation or improved production efficiency.

Eclipse Magnetics works with a broad range of magnetic materials and can supply both individual customised magnets and complete magnetic assemblies.

Which industries use industrial magnets?

Magnets are used across a surprisingly broad range of industries. Their role can vary from removing contamination and protecting production equipment to holding components, lifting materials, triggering a sensor, or forming part of sophisticated electronic and/or mechanical assemblies.

Key industries served by Eclipse Magnetics include, amongst others:

Aerospace

Magnets are used in aerospace applications where reliability, weight, temperature stability and precise performance can be critical. Materials such as neodymium and samarium cobalt can be selected for demanding applications.

Automotive manufacturing

Automotive manufacturing uses magnets for filtration, workholding, automation, sensors, motors and bespoke components.

Chemical processing

Magnetic separation can help remove ferrous contamination from chemical products and process streams, helping protect equipment and product quality.

Engineering and precision machining

Engineering applications include magnetic lifting, workholding, CNC coolant filtration, component handling and workshop tools.

Food processing

Magnetic separators are widely used to remove ferrous contamination from food ingredients and products such as flour, sugar, cereals, chocolate and other powders, granules and liquids.

Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceutical manufacturing uses magnetic separation and other magnetic technologies to help protect products and processes from metal contamination.

Steel processing and handling

Magnets can be used for lifting and handling throughout steel manufacturing and fabrication.

Virgin and recycled plastic processing

Magnetic separators can remove ferrous contamination from plastics and recycled materials, helping protect downstream equipment and improve material quality.

Sugar processing

Magnetic separation helps protect sugar-processing operations by removing ferrous contamination from the product stream.

Oil and gas

Magnetic filtration can be used to remove contaminants from fluids, while specialist magnetic filtration technologies are also used in pipeline applications to address rust and black powder.

Bearing manufacture

Magnetic filtration and workholding technologies can support precision bearing manufacturing processes where clean fluids and accurate machining are important.

Audio applications

Magnets are fundamental components in loudspeakers and other audio equipment. Material selection can influence magnetic strength, temperature stability and overall component performance.

Explore industries

Industrial magnets: a quick comparison

If your priority is...	Consider...
Maximum magnetic strength in a compact size	Neodymium
High-temperature performance	Samarium Cobalt or Alnico
Temperature stability	Samarium Cobalt or Alnico
Cost-effective general-purpose magnetism	Ferrite
Removing ferrous contamination from products	Magnetic separation
Removing ferrous particles from fluids	Magnetic filtration
Lifting steel and ferrous loads	Magnetic lifting systems
Holding workpieces during machining	Magnetic workholding
A standard component for a product or machine	Stock magnets
A unique size, shape or performance requirement	Bespoke magnet design

Why work with a magnet specialist?

Selecting the right magnet is about more than choosing the strongest magnetic material.

Magnetic performance depends on factors including magnet geometry, air gap, material grade, temperature, surrounding materials and how the magnet interacts with the rest of the system.

Working with an experienced magnet supplier can help you identify the most appropriate material grade and design for the application rather than simply selecting the strongest available magnet.

With more than 100 years of experience in magnetic technology, Eclipse Magnetics supplies stock magnets, industrial magnetic systems and bespoke magnetic solutions across a wide range of industries and applications.

Whether you need a single magnet, thousands of components or a complete magnetic separation, filtration, lifting or workholding system, the right magnetic solution starts with understanding the application.

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Magnets

What is the strongest type of industrial magnet?

Neodymium (NdFeB) is generally the strongest permanent magnet material available and provides very high magnetic performance for its size. However, the strongest magnet is not automatically the best magnet for every application. Temperature, corrosion, stability and available space must also be considered.  Your application and its environment guides the most appropriate magnet material, grade and coating finish.

What are the four main types of permanent magnets?

The four main permanent magnet materials are NdFeB / neodymium, SmCo / samarium cobalt, ferrite/ceramic and alnico. Each has different magnetic, thermal and physical characteristics.

Are neodymium magnets better than ferrite magnets?

Not necessarily. Neodymium provides substantially higher magnetic strength, particularly where space is limited, while ferrite can be a more cost-effective option where extreme magnetic performance is not required. The best material depends on the application. Ferrite can be a better choice for wet applications.

What are samarium cobalt magnets used for?

Samarium cobalt magnets are commonly used where high temperature performance, resistance to demagnetisation and magnetic stability are important. Applications include aerospace, automotive, sensors, motors, generators and other demanding technical applications.

What are alnico magnets used for?

Alnico magnets are used in applications where high temperature performance and magnetic stability are important. They can also be useful for sensors, meters, switching and certain holding and workholding applications.

What are ferrite magnets used for?

Ferrite magnets are widely used for cost-effective magnetic applications, including motors, generators, loudspeakers, holding systems and general industrial components.

Can industrial magnets be customised?

Yes. Industrial magnets can be customised in terms of material, grade, shape, size, magnetic pattern, coating type and assembly. Bespoke magnetic assemblies can also incorporate magnets into housings or other components.

Can standard magnets be used in products and components?

Yes. Stock magnets such as discs, rings, blocks, bars, pot magnets and other standard formats can be incorporated into a wide range of products, machines and component assemblies.

Can we modify our standard magnets to meet a customer requirement?

Yes. It is possible for us, within reason, to modify our standard magnets to meet a customer’s application needs. You may have tried our stock magnets and it works well but just needs a small change to be perfect – we can assist you on this.

How do I choose the right industrial magnet?

Start by defining the application and operating conditions (environment). Consider the required magnetic performance (field strength, pull force, torque), temperature, corrosion exposure, available space, magnetic stability, physical dimensions and fixing requirements. A magnet specialist can then help identify the most suitable material, grade and design.

Final Thoughts

Industrial magnets may appear simple, but selecting the right solution requires careful consideration of magnetic performance, operating conditions, material properties and system design.

Whether you need a high-strength neodymium magnet, a temperature-resistant samarium cobalt assembly, a cost-effective ferrite solution or a bespoke magnetic system, the best results come from understanding the demands of the application before choosing the magnet.

By focusing on performance requirements rather than simply selecting the strongest material available, engineers and designers can often achieve a more reliable, efficient and cost-effective outcome.

When specialist guidance is required, working with an experienced magnetic technology partner can help ensure the chosen solution delivers the performance, durability and value your application demands.

Find the right magnet for your application

From a small stock magnet to a complete industrial magnetic system, there is a magnetic solution for almost every application.

Explore the Eclipse Magnetics range of magnetic filtration, magnetic separation, lifting and handling, workholding systems, stock magnets and magnetic tools, or speak to the team about a bespoke magnet or magnetic assembly designed around your requirements.

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