Samarium Cobalt Magnets Engineered for Extreme Environments
Adams Magnetic Products supplies high-performance Samarium Cobalt magnets designed to deliver exceptional strength and stability in demanding conditions. Known for their superior temperature resistance, corrosion protection, and long-term magnetic performance, Samarium magnets are ideal for high-performance motors, magnetic couplings, sensors, and lifting systems. Count on Adams for precision-engineered magnets that maintain their power and reliability where others can’t.
What Are Samarium Cobalt Magnets?
Samarium Cobalt magnets are powerful permanent rare earth magnets composed of samarium and cobalt. They are highly suitable for high-temperature environments and applications requiring strong magnetic properties and durability.
Advantages
- High Magnetic Strength: Superior holding power for various applications.
- Thermal Stability: Can operate at temperatures between 250°C and 550°C, with Curie temperatures ranging from 700°C to 800°C.
- Corrosion Resistance: Less prone to oxidation and typically do not require additional coatings.
- Demagnetization Resistance: High resistance to losing magnetic properties.
Features
- Temperature Tolerance: Suitable for high-temperature applications.
- Machining and Magnetization: Samarium magnets require special handling and magnetizing fixtures; they cannot be formed using conventional drilling or milling processes.
- Hard and Brittle: Prone to chipping and cracking if dropped.
Applications
Samarium Cobalt magnets are used in various high-performance applications, including:
- High-performance motors
- Magnetic couplings
- Magnetic separators
- Electric devices
- Industrial lifting
1:5 alloy material
1:5 offers 16 MGOe (energy product) to 22 MGOe and is made up of approximately 37% samarium and 63% cobalt.
The 1:5 series has a maximum recommended operating temperature of 250°C. SmCo 1:5 magnets require lower field strengths than 2:17 materials to magnetize.
In some instances, 1:5 material may be magnetized with multiple poles, provided that a magnetizing fixture is available.
2:17 alloy material
The 2:17 Samarium Cobalt magnet alloy offers 24 MGOe to 32 MGOe and is composed of about 25% samarium, 5% copper, 18% iron, and 2% hafnium or zirconium, with the remainder being cobalt.
Samarium Cobalt permanent magnets, particularly the 2:17 series, have a maximum operating temperature of 350°C. Special grades of 2:17 are available, which can maintain their magnetic performance and structural integrity at temperatures even higher than the standard grade.
SmCo 2:17 requires a higher magnetizing field than alloy 1:5 does, and multiple pole magnetization is sometimes possible, provided that a magnetizing fixture is available.
The Solutions Adams Offers
These Samarium magnets are powerful rare earth magnets composed of samarium and cobalt. They are commonly used in high-performance motors, magnetic couplings, and magnetic separators.
Adams offers Samarium Cobalt magnets in square and rectangular blocks. Samarium magnets can be used for high-temperature applications where neodymium magnets will not work.
Interested in Learning More?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Samarium Cobalt magnets compare to neodymium at high temperatures?
Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) maintains magnetic output far better as the temperature increases. It’s even usable at temperatures roughly twice that of many neodymium grades, which lose strength more quickly with heat.
Do Samarium Cobalt (SmCo)permanent magnets require a protective coating or plating?
In most cases, no. Samarium Cobalt magnets are naturally resistant to corrosion and oxidation, even without protective coatings. However, a coating or plating may be recommended for applications involving prolonged exposure to moisture, salt spray, or corrosive chemicals to further extend the magnet’s lifespan and maintain appearance.
What do SmCo grade numbers like 18 and 24 actually mean?
Those numbers correspond to the material’s maximum energy product (BHmax) in MGOe. Basically, higher numbers mean higher magnetic energy within the SmCo range, which is typically about 16 to 32 MGOe. See our chart of Material Grades and Properties for Samarium Cobalt magnets and our other magnetic products.
What determines the cost of Samarium magnets?
The cost of Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) magnets is primarily influenced by the price and availability of cobalt, which can fluctuate based on global market conditions. Additional factors include grade, size, tolerances, coating requirements, and machining complexity, as SmCo is a hard, brittle material that requires specialized processing.