Strength
Due to their higher strength and smaller size, neodymium disc magnets are used in many modern electronic devices, including headphones, speakers, and hard drives. They are 2-7 times stronger than a ferrite magnet, enabling them to lift more than any other type of magnet is a similar size.
Ferrite magnets, on the other hand, are used in many more traditional applications, such as fridge magnets, motor magnets, and holding magnets for doors and cabinets. However, the choice of magnet depends on the specific application requirements.
Temperature Resistance
Ferrite magnets offer advantages over neodymium magnets when it comes to maintaining magnetization at higher temperatures due to their higher Curie temperature.
While some neodymium magnets can be treated in temperatures above 200 °C, they are generally more expensive than lower temperature grades.
On the other hand, ferrite magnets can withstand temperatures up to 300 degrees Celsius, and their coercivity increases as the temperature rises. This means that as the temperature increases, ferrite magnets show greater resistance to demagnetization.
It's worth noting that ferrite magnets can have magnetic field loss at higher temperatures, with a decrease of about 0.20% per degree Celsius.
Machining
Neodymium magnets are easier to machine (such as grinding, cutting, EDM, or abrasive water-jet) compared to ferrite magnets, especially when it comes to small, precision parts. When making small parts, the cost is primarily determined by the machining process rather than the material itself.
While NdFeB (Neodymium Iron Boron) is relatively brittle compared to other metals, ferrite magnets are even more brittle and pose greater challenges for machining. Therefore, there is a certain size or complexity threshold where it becomes more expensive to manufacture a ferrite part compared to an equivalent neodymium part due to the difficulties in mechanical processing.
It's worth noting that as the size of the parts decreases, the cost per kilogram may increase, but the unit cost generally decreases. This is because as the parts become smaller, the total cost is influenced more by the surface area. As parts shrink, the ratio of surface area to unit volume increases.
Versatility
Sure, neodymium magnets tend to cost more than ferrite magnets.
Their exceptional strength and durability mean that fewer neodymium magnets are required for most applications.
Whether you choose a neo-disc magnet or a neo-cylinder magnet, these magnets are used for most industrial, commercial, and technological applications where high magnetic forces are required, neodymium is the superior choice.
Corrosion Resistance
Neodymium magnets are often criticized for their poor corrosion resistance, but they typically come with a corrosion-resistant coating, unless specifically requested without it.
The default coating is nickel-copper-nickel (NiCuNi), which provides excellent corrosion resistance and a clean appearance for most applications, without needing additional coatings.
This standard coating is cost-effective and adds only a minimal expense. However, for applications that require higher corrosion resistance, other coatings are available at a slightly higher cost. This means that NdFeB magnets can be used in various corrosive environments without issues.
In contrast, ferrite magnets generally do not require any coatings at all. This distinction influences several design choices in favor of ferrite magnets.