Glossary of Magnet Terms

We have all heard the phrase “knowledge is power” and this certainly applies when your company is considering investing in their first magnet for magnetic separation. As you chart this unfamiliar territory and start your research, you will come across some words that are commonly used in this industry.

In the world of magnetic design manufacturing and supply there are unfamiliar terms that are used. They are not commonly used in our day to day conversations.

We have compiled a glossary of magnet terms that will be used by your magnetic specialist as you discuss what magnet would be best suited for your processing requirements.

Gauss: A measurement of the amount of magnetic lines of flux in one square centimeter.

Reach Out: How far a magnet can effectively pull a given piece of steel to its face (measured in distance from magnetic poles).

Holding Value: Is how many pounds of force it takes to remove a piece of metal from a magnet.

Air-Gap: Any material or space between the magnet and the ferrous material. The magnetic field decreases dramatically with air gap.

Tramp Metal: This is any undesirable ferrous material that has been intermixed with product being processed.

Burden Depth: This is the depth of the product that the magnet will have to effectively reach through to capture metal.

Force Index: This is a measurement of the force a magnet can exert on an object within its field.

Curie temperature: This is when the temperature that a magnet substance loses its magnetic properties.

Flux:  Another term for the magnetic field.

Gauss meter: This is an instrument used to measure the intensity of a magnetic field.

Intrinsic Coercive Force:  This is the measurement of magnetic materials inherent ability to resist self demagnetization.

Magnet:  Is a material that has the property, either natural or induced, of attracting iron or steel.

Magnetic Field: The space around a magnet in which the magnetic force can be detected.

Magnetic Flux: The total magnetic induction across or through a specified area.

Magnetic Orientation: This determines the magnetic polarity and position of one magnet pole to the other.

Maximum Operating Temperature: This means the maximum temperature a magnet can withstand without significant long range instability or structural changes.

North Pole:  This is the pole of a magnet that when freely suspended would point to the north magnetic pole of the earth.

Oersted:  The unit of magnetic intensity in the CGS (centimeter-gram-second) system that describes magnetic force.

Pole Pieces:  These are steel plates attached to the north and south poles of a magnet which direct the lines of flux and can control the gradient of the magnetic field.

Pull Test:  This is a test of holding value or breakaway force and reach out, usually conducted with a flat ferrous plate or ferrous sphere and a spring scale.

Residual Magnetism:  This happens when small amounts of magnetism remain in a material after being exposed to magnetic force

Arming yourself with knowledge and being prepared, before venturing into this investment is the best thing that you can do for yourself and your company.