Magnetic materials manufactured by Eutectix comprise both Alnico (AlNiCo) magnetic materials and rare earth magnetic materials such as neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) and samarium cobalt (SmCo). Typical compositions are Nd2Fe14B and Sm1Co5 and Sm2Co17. Magnetic materials containing other rare earth elements (REE), such as dysprosium (Dy) and praseodymium (Pr) may also be produced. Eutectix is a magnetic materials supplier. We manufacture high purity magnetic alloys that are custom made by vacuum induction melting to your exact requirements.
Alnico
Alnico is a magnetic material made with aluminum, nickel, cobalt and iron. In some specifications, titanium and / or copper is added. Smaller amounts of niobium, silicon, zirconium and other elements are used to alter various properties of the material. Commercial grades of magnetic materials are designated by IEC codes or MMPA classifications; Alnico is MMPA section II and IEC code R1. The various compositions have sub-grades listed in the MMPA standard specification for permanent magnet materials.
The Rare Earth Magnet Materials
MMPA STANDARD No. 0100-00 Standard Specification for Permanent Magnet Materials classifies rare earth magnet materials in three families of materials. The standard cross references the MMPA grades to the IEC codes and identifies the R4 and R5 materials as:
- rare-earth cobalt 5 such as SmCo5, where the rare earth is typically samarium and less commonly a different light rare earth or mishmetal or even a heavy rare earth such as gadolinium or erbium for example. In these materials, the rare earth may range in weight typically about 34- 39%.
- rare earth 2 transition metal 17 group where cobalt, iron and copper are mixed and the rare earth is typically about 23-28% by weight.
- rare earth iron alloys such as Nd2Fe14B where the rare earth is about 30-35 weight percent and the balance is iron with addition of boron and other elements.
Selection and Specification of Permanent Magnet Materials explains a methodology for selecting the best available grade for a given application.
According to the March 2016 report, Permanent Magnets: Technologies and Global Markets from BCC research, the global permanent magnet market is expected to grow from nearly $13.4 billion in 2015 to roughly $20 billion by 2020, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4% for the period of 2015-2020.