A lot of people do not realize that magnets surround their lives. When most people think about magnets and their applications in their lives, they think of fridge magnets used for holding photos and paintings. However, the application of magnets goes beyond holding things. These elements are also used in speakers, motors, and a wide array of electronic instruments. The market features a wide range of magnet types. They are normally categorized based on materials and shapes. A few common types of magnets are neodymium, SmCo, and Alnico. SmCo magnets are currently quite popular. This post covers everything you need to know about SmCo magnets.
What are SmCo magnets?
SmCo magnets, known in full as Samarium Cobalt Magnets, are a type of rare-earth magnet. The magnets are made from a combination of Samarium, Cobalt, and a few other rare earth materials. The components are combined through mixing and smelting to form an alloy. They are later crushed and pressed, then sintered.
Characteristics of SmCo magnets
Below are some defining characteristics of SmCo magnets;
- The magnets have a high magnetic energy
- SmCo magnets feature an extremely low-temperature coefficient. This is because they can only reach a maximum operating temperature of three hundred and fifty degrees Celsius.
- SmCo magnets also feature excellent temperature stability as they can maintain their magnetic properties in extremely low temperatures.
- The magnets have an excellent magnetic property as they are one of the strongest types of permanent magnets on the market.
- SmCo magnets are known for their high resistance to corrosion and demagnetization.
Applications of SmCo magnets
The temperature stability element of SmCo magnets makes them highly applicable in areas where high performance and magnetic strength are required. They also do well in high and low temperature applications. SmCo magnets are also widely applied in the military and energy (wind energy) industry. They are also widely applied in the following industries;
- Semiconductors
- Petroleum
- Aerospace
- Medicine
- Automotive
- Energy
- Electric and wind energy
You can also find Samarium Cobalt Magnets in equipment like;
- High-performance and electric motors
- Turbomachines
- Magnetic separation equipment
- Wind turbines and energy recovery systems
- Medical gadgets
- Missile elements
- Actuators and generators
- Robotoc arms and magnetic drive components
- Accelerators and accelerometers
The downsides of SmCo magnets
While SmCo magnets have numerous impressive elements and characteristics, they also feature some significant downsides. The primary downside of SmCo magnets is that they are very expensive. This is the main reason why they are not commonly applied residentially.
It is also worth noting that the magnets are prone to price fluctuations due to the unpredictability of the prices of the raw materials used to make the magnets. This makes it difficult for manufacturers and consumers.
Another downside of SmCo magnets is that they are prone to easy shattering. For this reason, specialists recommend that you wear goggles when handling them. The goggles will keep the shattered pieces from getting into your eyes.
Conclusion
While SmCo magnets have a few downsides, the advantages outweigh the downsides. China is one of the best places to get high-quality and professional SmCo magnets and other forms of permanent magnets. The country hosts some of the best magnet manufacturers and professionals in the world.