Well, after doing some more research, and ordering some expensive magnets, my research seems to disagree with what is being said.
Do materials not have different degrees of magnetic permeability? Remember, in my case the magnetic field must first pass through a carbon-steel cylinder...
I am attempting to determine how strong a magnetic field will be on the other side of a thick material and then across an air gap.
For instance, I have a closed steel cylinder with a steel piston inside it. I plan to affix a permanent magnet to one side of the piston (inside the cylinder)...