If you are new to the magnet industry, then you are probably keen to understand the most common terms. We have collated some phrases in alphabetical order that are used in day-to-day discussions at LCM.

Alloy

Two or more metals with characteristic properties.

Annealing

A process when a material is heated and cooled to improve its performance.

Anode & Cathode

A piece of metal that is used for electrolysis or electrowinning.

Bonded Magnets

These magnets consist of two components, a non-magnetic polymer, and a hard-magnetic powder.

Crucible

This is used to hold a sample inside a high-temperature furnace.

Electrolysis Metal Making

A process that uses a direct current in an electric salt bath to melt metal at extremely high temperatures.

EV

Electric vehicle. There has been a lot of discussion at the moment around EVs as they require NdFeB permanent magnets to be manufactured. You may even hear of HEV which are hybrid electric vehicles.

Ferroalloy

This term is used when talking about various iron alloys with a high percentage of other elements.

Ferromagnetism

This is the process when certain materials form permanent magnets.

Hard magnetic materials

These are also known as permanent magnets; they retain their magnetism after being magnetised.

Jet Casting

A process that casts molten metal into thin ribbons for bonded magnet production.

Lanthanides

Another name for rare earth metals.

NdFeB

Neodymium iron boron. Permanent magnets based on NdFeB are the most powerful permanent magnets available commercially.

Minor Metals

This term is used when speaking of metal which is a by-product of melting base metals

Rare earth elements

Seventeen elements have a deceiving name as you can find them in the earth’s crust across various countries including China, Brazil, Australia, and the United States. They are split into two categories: light and heavy rare earths. Each element has individual properties and is used across various industries.

Rare earth oxides

These are readily formed from rare earth elements.

Sintered magnets

A sintered magnet is produced by a powder metallurgical process.

Strip Casting

A process that casts molten metal into thin flakes for sintered magnet production.