What is Neodymium: Definition and 49 Discussions

Neodymium is a chemical element with the symbol Nd and atomic number 60. Neodymium belongs to the lanthanide series and is a rare-earth element. It is a hard, slightly malleable silvery metal that quickly tarnishes in air and moisture. When oxidized, neodymium reacts quickly to produce pink, purple/blue and yellow compounds in the +2, +3 and +4 oxidation states. Neodymium was discovered in 1885 by the Austrian chemist Carl Auer von Welsbach. It is present in significant quantities in the ore minerals monazite and bastnäsite. Neodymium is not found naturally in metallic form or unmixed with other lanthanides, and it is usually refined for general use. Although neodymium is classed as a rare-earth element, it is fairly common, no rarer than cobalt, nickel, or copper, and is widely distributed in the Earth's crust. Most of the world's commercial neodymium is mined in China.
Neodymium compounds were first commercially used as glass dyes in 1927, and they remain a popular additive in glasses. The color of neodymium compounds is due to the Nd3+ ion and is often a reddish-purple, but it changes with the type of lighting, because of the interaction of the sharp light absorption bands of neodymium with ambient light enriched with the sharp visible emission bands of mercury, trivalent europium or terbium. Some neodymium-doped glasses are used in lasers that emit infrared with wavelengths between 1047 and 1062 nanometers. These have been used in extremely-high-power applications, such as experiments in inertial confinement fusion. Neodymium is also used with various other substrate crystals, such as yttrium aluminium garnet in the Nd:YAG laser.
Another important use of neodymium is as a component in the alloys used to make high-strength neodymium magnets—powerful permanent magnets. These magnets are widely used in such products as microphones, professional loudspeakers, in-ear headphones, high performance hobby DC electric motors, and computer hard disks, where low magnet mass (or volume) or strong magnetic fields are required. Larger neodymium magnets are used in high-power-versus-weight electric motors (for example in hybrid cars) and generators (for example aircraft and wind turbine electric generators).

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  1. april7

    I Measuring change of magnetic field strengh over distance

    I have few cylindrical neodymium magnets of same diameter and different heights and different magnetic inductions in the geometric center of the magnetic pole surface. Knowing those values of magnetic induction, how can I measure what the induction is at a certain distance from that center? For...
  2. A

    How can there be neodymium magnets when neodymium is paramagnetic?

    Neodymium is a paramagnetic material, so how do we have a permanent neodymium magnet?
  3. S

    Halbach-Array Simulation FEMM

    Hello everone, I have recently come across the need of a strong constant magnetic field while being limited in space. The field needs to be unidirectional and up until now was generated by two magnets (12x12x12mm N48). Then I came across Halbach arrays and their potentially stronger magnetic...
  4. M

    Force between two neodymium permanent magnets

    So I was wondering how I calculate the magnetic force between two magnets. When we learned about magnets, we only covered magnetic fields and electricity (laplace's law) and how electricity can create a B-Field. But how will two B-fields (or magnets) affect each other? Is there a simple formula...
  5. chemisthypnos

    Is neodymium powder as strong of a magnet as solid neodymium

    In attempting to make magnetized neodymium powder, I grinded neodymium magnets into a powderusing a belt sander. However, I found that the magnetic properties of the neodymium had decreased substantially. It would appear that any attempt to grind the magnets into a powder using this method seems...
  6. E

    Magnet system efficiency made from neodymium magnets

    Me and my friend want to make a strong as possible (made from permanent magnets) homemade metal separator for seeds. We are not good in the physics of such level, so we need consultation. We want to try neodymium magnets for our separator. We learned that magnetic flux density could be reached...
  7. kolleamm

    Is neodymium naturally magnetic?

    Also does it make a better core for an electromagnet than iron does?
  8. Martin Quevedo

    Neodymium magnet partial shielding

    Hi all distinguished members of this forum ! As my first post here I would like to open with a situation I have been struggling with I have attached a simple diagram of my problem I have 2 cylindrial N52 neodymium magnets axially aligned with each other with opposite poles facing each other...
  9. cluelessGUY

    Magnet clamp repelling in coil

    I have a practical question. I want to make a rubber (silicone) hose/plug that is pinched closed by two magnets ( very strong magnets such as ones from a hard drive the Neodymium kind). I want to place then into a coil and when I want the liquid to flow, I want to turn on the coil and have the...
  10. P

    Magnetization currents of Magnets with μ_r close to 1

    Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnets have a relative magnetic permeability of 1.05. According to the formula: B = μ0 * (H + M) Both the magnetizing field H and the magnetization M contribute to the magnetic field B. The magnetization M has sources and sinks, so therefore it follows from Maxwell's...
  11. A

    Light, thin but strong magnet?

    Hi everyone! My knowledge of physics is very very basic, so I just found this great forum and I think it would be great to have a feedback from people who know. I am in development of a project that involves a laptop sleeve and some magnets. I've already done my research and found that they...
  12. M

    How to calculate force caused by magnets?

    I am trying to calculate the forces between a simple sphere neodymium magnet on other iron surfaces and magnets. I did a lot of research but still not sure what equation to use or how to apply them. I found the following equations here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Force_between_magnets) F =...
  13. J

    Can a demagnetized neodymium magnet be restored?

    Can a Neodymium magnet get back it's magnetic properties after being demangnetized? Say that there is a Neodymium magnet(Nd-Fe-B) that has been demagnetized(turned paramagnetic) at a temperature higher than its curie temperature. If I extract the demagnetized Neodymium(Nd) from the...
  14. erashish14

    Electromagnetic Induction Help Requested

    Hi Experts, I'm doing an experiment of Electromagnetic Induction (producing current by changing magnetic field i.e. by circulating magnetic wheel of N52 Neodymium Magnets around copper coil), but what i found when the speed of wheel is HIGH, the Output Current is LOW (in range of .02...
  15. itoero

    Demagnetizing Neodymium magnets in a candle flame?

    Is it possible to partly demagnetize neodymium magnets in the flame of a candle? Those magnets are made up of Neodymium, Iron and Borium. They have a Nickel-Copper-Nickel coating. The Curie temperature for Neodymium magnets is 310-400°C. Neodymium (magnetic powder) burns but does the coating...
  16. CyanGrinMonk

    Why does a stationary magnet cause plasma to spin ?

    Hello, this is my first post, i only have what we call an O Level Physics here in the UK, but i have a strong layperson's interest in the subject, so I'm looking forward to picking the brains of the more educated people here. My friend's professor showed him something very interesting, all to...
  17. D

    Help in trying to build microcontroller powered Chess Board

    Hello all, as the title states I'm trying to build an arduino powered chess board. The chess pieces will have magnets on the bottom and each square of the board will be equipped with a reed switch for detecting the presence of the magnetic field produced by the magnet. I recently tried this out...
  18. J

    Electromagnet not repelling neodymium magnet

    Hello this is my first time to post. I have an electromagnet powered by a car battery charger set at 12 volts the problem is I can't get the electromagnet to repel the neodymium magnet. I have tried switching around the positive and negative leads of the power supply and switching the side of...
  19. Mechatron

    Neodymium Magnets as energy storage?

    Neodymium magnets have an energy capacity of 512 kJ/m3 or 0,512 MJ / cubic liters. That's equivalent to 0.0085 kWh or 8.5 Wh each 1 dm^3. You could recharge an mp3 player for 34 hours, and then you'd have to throw away your magnet. That's still 468 times less than the capacity of a Lead-acid...
  20. R

    Can I store a neodymium magnet in a freezer?

    Well, permanent magnets are made of ferromagnetic material. These magnets lose permanent magnetization above the Curie temperature(on heating) and behave as paramagnetic materials. The reason is thermal energy. The magnetic moments lose their initial configuration and no longer remain aligned...
  21. S

    Hexamagnetic levitation using neodymium ball magnets

    Hello, Just wanted to say I did this today. I could envision it in theory a while. Went ahead and filed it under creative commons. Wondered If any of you "are" aware if this is a pattent somewhere? And maybe shed some light on it. We start with arranging neodymium ball magnets in a diamond...
  22. W

    Can old neodymium magnets be recycled?

    Can old neodymium magnets be crushed to a powder and re-sintered into new shapes?
  23. A

    What electromagnetic range would disrupt a neodymium magnet?

    Hello all, This is just a question i have... I need to know the frequency (in order to meter it) from an electromagnetic source, and i know that a neodymium magnet will disrupts it. so, i want to know what range the neodymium will disrupt, in order to know what device will need to meter...
  24. J

    Can a Neodymium Magnet be used as an electromagnet?

    Hi, I would like to know if Neodymium Magnets can be used as an electromagnetic magnet. The idea is to get a Neodymium Magnet and add DC voltage to do the Gauss Law. The college project is make a very powerful electromagnet, so I thought adding the most powerfull magnet and the some DC...
  25. M

    Coercivity of Neodymium magnets, could it be demagnetized in an MRI?

    An N45 Grade Neodymium Rare Earth magnet has a remnance (Br) of 1320 mT and Coercive force (Hcj) of 923 kA/m. I am a little confused with the units of Coercive Force, how does A/m relate to Gauss/Tesla? Also, if an N45 magnet was placed inside a 2T MRI, would that be strong enough to...
  26. W

    Energy cost during neodymium magnet production?

    Pretty straight forward. Whats the amount of energy needed to create a neodymium magnet? What's the cost ratio? These magnets are expensive, but is the amount of energy needed to create them very high (2Kw)? Or is it still pretty reasonable? Does anyone have a link with accurate estimations?
  27. Y

    What size does electromagnet has to be to imitate the power of neodymium magnet?

    Hello all, I am interface designer that occasionally steps out and does some product/concept design. The last one I am working on is something that would require me to make a matrix of little electro magnets, and i am just starting to inform my self about all that. I loved electrical...
  28. H

    SuperCooled Neodymium Magnets

    Hallo everyone! As you all know one of the strongest rare-earth magnet is Neodymium. I was wondering... under very cooled temperatures their magnetism will last for a longer time as usual and their magnetic field will be stronger than before too! How long do you think it could last? I mean...
  29. N

    Fluid mechanics observation relative to neodymium magnets question.

    Watch this video first, please. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ghBUcQG1lQ&feature=related ). I had been imagining magnetism in general as fluid motion and not like it is portrayed now days for the last few years. Disregarding the hundreds of notes and all that, what I did notice was this...
  30. O

    Should I bother making an electromagnet or just use neodymium for my motor?

    Okay, so I need to make a DC motor for my physics assie and I am aiming to use an electromagnet to magnetise iron sheets shaped into the shape of a radial magnet. Would this even work? O.o Or would neodymium be better for its size? How large would the electromagnet have to be in order to beat...
  31. T

    Comparing Strength of Electromagnets and Neodymium Magnets at 4 oz and 12v

    Which one is stronger given they are the same size and weight? Say 4 oz. Just say you only have 12v to work with on the electromagnet.
  32. M

    Do neodymium magnets loose energy?

    Generally, most of the research I have done says that neodymium magnets do not loose their energy, even when dropped or around other magnets, and will last 400 years. But what about if the neodymium magnets are constantly in motion and interacting with each other? Our system has a Sphere...
  33. R

    Neodymium ball magnet field alignment

    If a magnetised neodymium ball has a definite north and south point, could you slice the ball in two, and weld 2 "north" halves together, to create an entirely north ball? If this is impossible, how about designing a ball made in, say, a 3D printer, then embed it with small magnetised neodymium...
  34. A

    Force of neodymium magnet inside an electromagnetic coil

    Hey guys, Im trying to design a electric gear shiftier for a motor bike. Basically I require about 200N of force to change gear with a 10mm throw (in both directions). I would like to use a tube neodymium magnet. (23mm diameter 25mm high with a 5mm hole throw the centre with a N48 grade) What I...
  35. A

    Force of neodymium magnet inside a electromagnetic coil

    Hey guys, Im trying to design a electric gear shiftier for a motor bike. Basically I require about 200N of force to change gear with a 10mm throw (in both directions). I would like to use a tube neodymium magnet. (23mm diameter 25mm high with a 5mm hole throw the centre with a N48 grade) What...
  36. P

    Why do these neodymium magnets seem to have 2 dipoles?

    If you take 2 .5" x .5" cylinder neodymium magnets, and attach them sideways with N of first closest to the S of the 2nd and vice versa, they are attracted. However, when one is held stationary, and the other is rotated around, its seems that there is a perpendicular magnetic field that...
  37. F

    Electromagnet to repel neodymium magnet?

    Hello all! I'm new to this site and new to electromagnets. I've done some research but now i need help from anyone who is willing. I'm playing around with electromagnets and neodymium magnets. Now i want the electromagnet to repel the neodymium. So first thing I can't use a ferrous material...
  38. Z

    How to recharge neodymium magnets?

    This is my first post and I am not sure if I am posting it in the right place. But I believe some electrical engineer could answer it better than any other engineer. Please anyone correct me if I am in the wrong place. I am using Neodymium magnets on a machine I am developing. They are...
  39. R

    Are Neodymium Magnets Polarized and Shaped Like This?

    Do neodymium magnets polarized like this and with this same shape exist? http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Bar_magnet.jpg
  40. S

    Magnetic Field Flux of Neodymium Magnets

    Greetings, I am trying to figure out how I would design something that produces power using magnetic induction, but I think I've confused myself on some of the ideas and terms behind it. I found data on neodymium magnets from http://www.cy-magnetics.com/Mag_Pros_NdFeB.htm and it seems that...
  41. C

    Magnetic fields such as a field from a neodymium magnet?

    Is there a material that blocks or reflects magnetic fields such as a field from a neodymium magnet?
  42. K

    Powdered neodymium magnet

    I was watching this video on youtube called will it blend where they supposedly blended neodymium magnets into powder. I saw sparks coming from the process of it being powdered but I have read elsewhere that trying to file neodymium magnets is dangerous as it would be explosive. I am not sure...
  43. Q

    What kind of damage will 800lb neodymium magnets do to electronics?

    I know this doesn't pertain so much to engineering but I figured you guys would know best. If you set the magnet next to a cell phone or TV, what kind of damage would be expected?
  44. Q

    Neodymium Magnets: Does Size Matter?

    They pull a lot of pounds in ratio to their size, I was wondering if it would make any difference in the energy output if you replaced the normal magnet with a neodyniam.
  45. J

    Mass Vibrator using a Neodymium cylinder

    This is an electrical question but bear with me for some background. I have a project creating an epoxy based granite material. The sphere packing density is quite high with aggregate sizes from 2 to 600 microns. So that means I'm left with a very thick mix. Plus the added complication of...
  46. B

    What are the applications of Quadrupole Neodymium magnets?

    There are lots of patents on Neo magnets and they are difficult to sort out. Some of the patents restrict the use of the magnets that contain cobalt and/or have a tetragonal crystalline structure. Does someone know: What types of magnets contain cobalt? What types of magnets have a...
  47. DaveC426913

    Buy Neodymium Magnets: Skin Pinching, Shattering Power Explained

    I've seen these things for sale on the web. http://www.amasci.com/neodemo.htmlhttp://www.kjmagnetics.com/safety.asp I consistently see the same claims: - they can easily pinch skin, like with a pair of pliers - they can shatter, showering you with high speed shards Are they really...
  48. D

    Nd2Fe14B: Molecular Structure Explained

    Does anyone know how does this molecule looks like? (I study Aerospace, don't ask me why do i want to know :cry: ) How does those atomos connect with each other: It's chemical formulae is: Nd_2Fe_1_4B
  49. O

    Neodymium Magnets - WonderMagnets Store

    http://www.wondermagnets.com/cgi-bin/edatcat/WMSstore.pl?user_action=detail&catalogno=3138 [Broken] I'm thinking of getting some, I just purchased some neodymium magnets. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2545710646 [Broken]
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