Selecting the correct magnetic material

There are many elements used in selecting a magnetic material. This paper reviews the considerations and makes suggestions on communications between engineers, purchasing and magnet vendor. The current volume magnetic materials are Alnico, hard ferrite, samarium cobalt (SmCo), neodymium-iron-boron (NIB) and bonded versions of hard ferrite and neodymium-iron-boron. This paper reviews additional specification factors of specific magnetic, physical, mechanical, temperature and cost characteristics of the six materials compared to their status in 1994.