Are powdered neodymium magnets explosive?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the safety of powdered neodymium magnets, particularly whether they can be considered explosive when processed into a powder. Participants explore the implications of handling and processing these magnets, referencing a specific video that demonstrates blending them.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the explosiveness of powdered neodymium magnets, questioning the authenticity of a video that shows sparks during the blending process.
  • Another participant suggests that the magnets in the video may not be neodymium but rather ceramic magnets, citing the difficulty of separating neodymium magnets by hand.
  • A different participant shares personal experience with neodymium magnets, noting their brittleness and the potential danger of handling them improperly, but does not confirm their explosiveness.
  • One participant speculates that if neodymium magnets chip easily, they may not be explosive, suggesting that there would be more public warnings if they were.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether powdered neodymium magnets are explosive. There are competing views regarding the type of magnets shown in the video and the implications of their brittleness.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the definitions of "explosive" in this context and the lack of clear warnings about the dangers of neodymium magnets. There is also a reliance on personal experiences and observations rather than established safety guidelines.

kateman
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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 whether it truly is explosive or if the video is fake/didn't use real neodymium magnets. Which is right?

I have neodymium magnets and I know they do easily chip if allowed to come together at a fast rate, but I am not sure whether it is a danger or isn't.
 
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I assume this is the video in question: http://www.willitblend.com/videos.aspx?type=unsafe&video=magnets

First of all, even two neodymium magnets of that size would be nearly impossible to separate by hand. Plus, all the rare-earth magnets I've seen are chrome-plated on the outside and have a rough, silvery texture when broken or chipped. I'm pretty sure the ones in the video are regular cheap ceramic magnets.
 
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I bought myself some Neodymium magnets to play with a while ago, and they are definitely not Neodymium. The magnets I have are about that size, and if I had that many and just clanked them together like that I'd break a finger.

And yeah, all mine are nickel plated so they are not as brittle. Neodymium magnets are extremely brittle without a hard coating (and even then they very brittle).
 
Thanks you guys. I just thought something was off with them.

Iam guessing that if the magnets chip as easily as they do, that they arn't explosive then either?
Otherwise there would be more warnings all over them when you buy them and I am guessing I would have heard about it on the news or something beforehand.
Anyone know?
LOL, iam not game enough to find out with my own
 

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