While NdFeB magnets have been around for several decades, the rectangular block shape of these magnets began to gain prominence in the late 20th century as the demand for more precise and efficient magnet configurations grew. Initially, NdFeB magnets were produced in cylindrical, ring, and disc shapes, but as industries began to use them in more complex applications, there was a need for more customizable shapes that could fit specific spaces or achieve more focused magnetic fields.
The rectangular block shape NdFeB magnets allowed for greater flexibility in applications, particularly in devices where space was at a premium or where a specific orientation of the magnetic field was required. The rectangular shape also made it easier to stack, align, and assemble magnets for industrial purposes, especially in motors, generators, and sensors.
One of the key factors driving the rise of rectangular block NdFeB magnets was their superior efficiency in generating strong magnetic fields in a compact form. This efficiency is critical in applications where the weight and size of components are important, such as in electric motors, magnetic levitation, and wind turbines.
The process of manufacturing rectangular block NdFeB magnets is highly specialized and requires a combination of advanced technology and precision. The raw materials—neodymium, iron, and boron—are mixed and melted together to create an alloy, which is then cooled and crushed into powder form. This powder is compacted into the desired shape, often using a die-casting or pressing method, followed by sintering, which involves heating the powder to a high temperature to increase the material's density and magnetic properties.
The rectangular block shape is created through careful machining, as the sintered material is precision-cut into the desired dimensions. These magnets can vary in size, ranging from small blocks used in electronics to large blocks used in industrial motors or magnetic assemblies. After shaping, the magnets undergo a coating process, such as nickel-plating, to prevent corrosion and enhance their durability.
The magnetic properties of rectangular block NdFeB magnets are largely influenced by the proportion of neodymium, iron, and boron in the alloy, as well as the specific manufacturing process. As a result, these magnets exhibit high coercivity, meaning they can withstand external magnetic fields without losing their magnetization, and high remanence, which gives them strong and persistent magnetic fields.
Magnets can be divided into permanent magnets and non-permanent magnets, the former is able to maintain long-term magnetic not easy to lose magnetic natural products, such as magnetite; The latter requires certain conditions in order to appear magnetic, such as electromagnets.
The manufacture of permanent magnets requires the use of some special metal materials, such as copper, cobalt, sulfur, nickel, iron, aluminum and titanium.