Flexible Magnets - General Information

A form of Ferrite magnets, Flexible magnet materials offer the product designer a uniquely desirable combination of properties at lower cost than other magnet materials. The flexibility and machinability of these materials permit design innovations and automated manufacturing techniques not possible with rigid or brittle materials.

Higher energy flexible materials may sometimes replace Ceramic 1 materials, if close tolerances are not required, and if operating temperatures are below about 250º F. Ferrite based flexible materials have energy products from 0.6 MGOe to 1.6 MGOe.

Key Benefits

• Inexpensive
• Available in wide sheets and in extruded strips
• Easy to adhere to products
• Easy to cut and shape
• Can be supplied with colored laminates
• Sheet materials laminated with vinyl can be imprinted using silk screening or digital printing techniques
• High energy grades are as strong or stronger than Ceramic 1 grades

Key Challenges

• Standard materials are only magnetic on one side
• Magnetically weak compared to other magnet materials
• Use at temperatures above 120ºC limited due to binder material stability
• Environmental conditions can degrade binder and cause brittleness and cracking
• Care must be taken in order to avoid damage when adhered to painted surfaces in outdoor conditions.

Quick Facts

• Density - 0.140 lbs per cubic inch for ferrite based flexible materials
• Usually magnetized with multiple poles on one surface in order to produce a stronger holding force.
• Manufacturing methods - extruding or calendering.
• Shapes available - wide sheets (24" or 40" wide), or strips (from 1/4" to 3") - can be slit, cut, punched or coiled.
• Grades available - 0.6 MGOe to 1.6 for ferrite based materials.

Surface Treatments

No surface treatments are necessary for Flexible magnets. Ferrite based flexible materials are often laminated with white or colored printable vinyl, or with pressure sensitive adhesives to make assembly easy.

CAUTION!

• Adhesive backed materials must be stored such that adhesives do not deteriorate - in cool and dark environments.
• Adhesives should be tested on an actual substrate prior to ordering production quantities to ensure that proper bonding can occur.
• Special must be taken in adhering Flexible magnets to painted surfaces in outdoor conditions to ensure that there is no damage to vehicle paint.