About Permanent Magnets

Magnets play an important role in our lives. It is an essential component in making electric motors and generators which in turn power computers, lights, appliances, television and other devices. Magnets are also used in industrial applications and transportation. There are two main types of magnets, ordinary magnets and permanent magnets. Ordinary magnets demagnetize after a certain period of time. This means that ordinary magnets lose its magnetic properties as time goes by. On the other hand, a permanent magnet is a type of magnet that never loses its magnetic properties. Permanent magnets are used in elevators, roller coasters and magnetic trains.

There are magnets that are manufactured and magnets that are by its nature, already has magnetic properties. One good example of this is Lodestone. Lodestone is a type of iron order that inherently attracts iron. Lodestones are abundant in the Greek city, Magnesia, hence the name. Early civilizations from India and Greece used magnets for navigation. Nowadays, you can find magnets in stereo speakers, hard disc drives, computer monitors, industrial tools, telephones and just about anything. It can be said that our world would have been so different if magnets were not discovered.

Permanent magnets are classified into various categories from ceramic, rare-earth, injection-molded, Nano magnets, Alnico, Flexible, Chain magnets and Single molecule magnets. Ceramic magnets are brittle and needs a special coating so as to be used in various applications. Instead of using ceramic magnets, most manufacturers prefer rare-earth magnets since it is superior in many ways compared to ceramic magnets. However, on disadvantage of using a rare-earth magnet is that it easily corrodes. Flexible and injection-molded magnets are used in printing presses in various manufacturing applications. On the other hand, a Nano-magnet is a state-of-the-art magnet which uses energy waves to attract metals.

More and more permanent, or artificial, magnets are preferred over natural or ordinary magnets nowadays for various reasons. Artificial magnets are more powerful than natural magnets. Artificial magnets are also versatile. You can easily manufacture a magnet with your desired drawing power. Artificial magnets are made by exposing a heated metal sheet to alternating magnetic fields. Most magnets that are sold at hardware stores are artificial magnets


Scientists are continuously doing research on more applications of magnets. Recent breakthroughs reveal that magnets can be used for medical purposes such as treatment for headache, liver problems, paralysis, kidney problems, amnesia, backache and other ailments. Unlike other technological breakthroughs such as Wi-Fi, mobile phone grids and High-voltage electric grids which purportedly increase our risk of developing cancer, using magnets for the body has no major disadvantage.  The only risk in using magnets for medical purposes is when you use it to people with pacemakers since magnets interfere with the functions of the pacemaker.