Magnetic Materials and

ElectromagnetsPurposeBackgroundEquipment ListProcedureDataDiscussionConclusion

PurposeThe purpose of this experiment was

to investigate the magnetic properties of matter.

This investigation included evaluating the properties of various permanent magnets, as well as measuring the variations of an electromagnet as a function of coil current.

Equipment List• Neodymium-Iron-Boron Disk Magnet• Ceramic Permanent Magnets• Cardboard Spacers• Cenco Electromagnet• Power Supply• Multimeter• F.W. Bell Guass/Tesla Meter

Background information

• The beginning of Magnets• Domain Theory• Permanent Magnets• Electromagnets• Magnets as we know them in the

world today.

Materials Commonly Used to Make

Permanent Magnets• Neodymium Iron Boron• NeoForm-B Bonded NdFeB• Samarium Cobalt• Alnico• Ceramic Ferrite

Neodymium Iron Boron

• Became Available in mid-1980• most commonly Produced Magnet• Maximum Magnetic Energy - 26-28

MGOe’s• Maximum Operating Temperature is

1500 C• Less Brittle than other magnets• High resistance to Demagnetization

Ceramic Ferrite Magnets

• Have been around since the mid 1950’s• Have a very Low relative cost• Maximum Magnetic Energy - 4 MGOe’s• Maximum Operating Temperature - is 3000

C• Moderate Resistance to Demagnetization• Small Cracks and Chips are common

Convert Electrical Energy to Physical

Motion

Convert Physical Motion to Electrical

Energy

Produce Mechanical Energy

Control, Shape or Direct an Object or

Substance

Procedure• Measured the Gap Length for

Neodymium-Iron-Boron Magnets and for Ceramic Magnets

• Measured how the Flux density changed as a function of magnet volume.

• Measured the Flux Density as a function of current for an electromagnet

Data - NdFeB Permanent Magnet

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Gap Length (mm)

Flu

x D

ensi

ty (

G/T

)

NdFeBMagnets

Data - NdFeB Permanent Magnet

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Magnet Volume (mm)

Flu

x D

ensi

ty (

G/T

)

NdFeBMagnets

Data - Ceramic Permanent Magnet

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Gap Length (mm)

Flu

x D

ensi

ty (

G/T

)

CeramicMagnets

Data - Ceramic Permanent Magnet

8

8.2

8.4

8.6

8.8

9

9.2

9.4

9.6

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Magnet Volume (mm)

Flu

x D

ensi

ty (

G/T

)

CeramicMagnets

Data - Electromagnet

0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.1

0.12

0.14

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5

Current (Amps)

Flu

x D

ensi

ty (

G/T

)

Discussion• Problems I encountered with the

experiment• Possible Sources of Error• Interpretation of Data• Possible Methods of Improving this

experiment for accuracy.• Other interesting Experiments that

could be done on this subject.

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6

Magnet Volume (mm)

Flu

x D

ensi

ty (

G/T

)

NdFeB

Ceramic

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6

Gap Length (mm)

Flu

x D

en

sity

(G

/T)

NdFeB

Ceramic

Discussion• Problems I encountered with the

experiment• Possible Sources of Error• Interpretation of Data• Possible Methods of Improving this

experiment for accuracy.• Other interesting Experiments that

could be done on this subject.

Conclusion• NdFeB magnets vs. Ceramic

Magnets• Electromagnets

ReferencesHistory was provied by

The National Museum of Science and Technology at http://www.science-tech.nmstc.ca/engine.cfm?function=link&idx=1367&language=english#whatare

Information about magnets was provided by

Dexter Magnet Technologies at http://www.dextermag.com/