FAQs About Rare Earth & Liquid Magnets

Magnetic force is one of the most interesting natural phenomenon’s known to man. The ability to stick something on a piece of metal is studied by scientists across the world. Many magnets are naturally occurring, such as neo-magnets and otters are made in a lengthy but interesting process. Some magnets can even be made using household ingredients to create ferrofluid, a liquid magnet.

Neodymium Rare Earth Magnets
Neodymium is made from combining natural elements of which are naturally magnetic. It is also the most powerful naturally occurring magnet known to man and in many cases, these magnets are used to erase hard drives and in man-made speaker units. Neodymium magnets are permanent magnets and are made by combining boron, iron, and neodymium using a strictly controlled heating and bonding process. An automotive company for use in its products discovered the process and the magnet combination.

The rare earth neo-magnet must be coated with nickel, copper or both because neo-magnets are very corrosive. They are also very dangerous as well and can cause severe injuries. For example, if a person holding a small neo-magnet near another magnet loses his grip the magnet is so powerful that it would crash against the other one and could break the person’s finger should it be stuck in between the two magnets. Additionally, the two magnets would slam together with so much force that the neo-magnet would shatter; the shattered pieces are very sharp and can cause severe cuts.

Ferrofluid Magnets
Ferrofluid is a liquid magnet that can be made using household ingredients such as vegetable oil and iron shavings. The easiest way to obtain the shavings is by purchasing printer toner powder because the toner contains magnetic shavings and it is easy to find in any office supply store.

Ferrofluid magnets only contain, on average, about fiver percent solid matter. The other 95 percent of the solution is made from the oil or other suspension liquid and the surfactants coating the iron. Many children find that ferrofluid magnets are fun to play with because of their liquid properties. When ferrofluid is in a container, it takes the shape of that container just as a regular liquid will.

However, if it is spilled out, it will spill as liquid does as well. It takes the shape of whatever container it is held in. However, if another magnet is placed underneath the container holding the fluid, the magnet force directs the magnetic particles in the fluid to the magnet, thus producing various shapes. If the magnet is held above the ferrofluid, the fluid magnet typically takes the shape of a ball with spikes on top. However, keep in mind that if making a ferrofluid magnet that it is very messy, so have some heavy-duty cleaners on hand at all times.

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