Samarium Cobalt - General Information
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Samarium Cobalt Overview
4-Pole SmCo Rotor
Samarium Cobalt magnets - the first commercialized "Rare Earth" magnets - were introduced in the early 1970s. They are used today most often in applications which involve elevated temperatures and the need for high magnetic properties. On a dollars per pound basis, the cost of SmCo magnets is about 25 to 50 times that of Ferrite magnets.
Key Benefits
- High magnetic strength - up to about 32MGOe
- May be operated up to about 300°C
- Does not need to be protected against oxidation
Key Challenges
- Very brittle, and hard to machine
- Because this material contains Cobalt, the cost of SmCo is relatively high
Quick Facts
- Density - 0.300 lbs per cubic inch
- Saturation magnetizing field required - about 50kOe
- Manufacturing methods - sintering (most common), with some injection molding and compression bonding.
- Shapes available - blocks, bars, discs, rings, arc segments, etc.
- Grades available - from about 1410 to 3214. (First 2 digits represent BHmax, and second two digits represent Intrinsic Coercivity, Hci.)
- Sizes - off tool the largest die pressed blocks are about 3" cube, while isostatically pressed blocks can be much longer in the orientation direction (up to 9 feet).
Surface Treatments
In general, no surface treatment is required for SmCo magnets since they are not subject to oxidation.
CAUTION!- SmCo magnets are very brittle and easily chip or break upon impact.
- All Rare Earth magnets are very powerful - care must be taken in handling these magnets to avoid injuries.
