What Are the Different Types of Magnets That Exist Today?

Did you know there are only three elements capable of remaining magnetic permanently? As such, naturally occurring magnets are quite rare.

So how come we have so many magnets around us?

It’s because humans have found ways to magnetize objects through lots of experimentation. Because of human invention, magnets are now everywhere. Magnets keep our televisions, computers, and water systems running.

Are you curious about what types of magnets exist? Magnets come in all shapes and sizes. Thanks to advances in magnetic technology, there are magnets for many different industries.

Ready to find out how many different types of magnets there are? Read on for a breakdown of the different varieties that exist!

Permanent Magnets

Permanent magnets can be either a rod shape or a disk shape. These magnets are often used in the manufacturing industry. They’re also used in other applications where they need to work continuously.  

This is because they don’t lose their magnetic quality over time. Permanent magnets are often used in motors, generators, and wind turbines. 

Alnico Magnets

A common industrial-grade permanent magnet is the alnico magnet. Alnico is an acronym for “alloy” or aluminum, nickel, and cobalt.

Alnico magnets are more expensive than the common ceramic magnet. But they have a stronger magnetic pull than their ceramic counterparts.

Alnico magnets can vary in strength, with some pulling up to 25 pounds of metal.

Natural Magnets

Natural magnets contain minerals such as lodestone and magnetite. Others natural magnets form when certain metal alloys combine in nature.

Meteorites that land on our planet also sometimes contain magnetic rocks. Miners can also sometimes extract naturally magnetic minerals and rocks during their operations.

Temporary Magnets

Temporary magnets contain either ferrite or rare earth magnets. Unlike permanent magnets, these magnets only act when they are near a magnetic field. If there is no magnetic field nearby, they are no longer magnetic themselves.

Temporary magnets play a vital role in many consumer goods. This includes appliances such as refrigerators, televisions, computers, and more.

Electromagnets

Electromagnets are used in many industrial applications and equipment. An electromagnet activates once electrical currents run through its metal core.

Electromagnets play a role in the function of many machines, including trains. These magnets are a key factor in how we generate and use electricity.

Why Are Magnets Important?

Think beyond your childhood science class experiments! Large magnets keep the industrial sector running smoothly. For example, almost any electrically powered motor will contain industrial magnets.

Industrial-grade alnico magnets are the best magnets for wastewater treatment. These magnets remove metallic particles from the water. After, the clean water flows back into our lakes and rivers from the wastewater plant.

The Types of Magnets Demystified

Now you know more about the types of magnets that exist today. The range is huge!

There are naturally occurring magnets from meteorites. And there are manufactured magnets that keep trains and computers running.

Want to keep learning more? Be sure to check out our informative lifestyle articles for more interesting reads. 

June Potter wrote this article on behalf of FreeUp. FreeUp is the fastest-growing freelance marketplace in the US. FreeUp only accepts the top 1% of freelance applicants. Click here to get access to the top freelancers in the world.

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