Samarium Cobalt Magnets Magnets, referred to as SmCo magnets, were the first magnetic materials to be commercially used. Like NdFeB magnets, it is a kind of rare earth permanent magnet material. However, their own magnetic properties are quite different from those of NdFeB magnets. But the operating temperature range is wider, with superior temperature coefficient and stronger corrosion resistance. Samarium cobalt magnets will certainly function at high operating temperatures and will begin to outperform special grades of high temperature neodymium magnets from 150 degrees Celsius onwards.
Samarium cobalt magnets not only excel at high temperatures, but also retain their magnetism even at temperatures below absolute zero (-273 degrees Celsius), making them popular for cryogenic applications. Although it has a higher temperature range and is corrosion resistant.
SmCo magnet performance grade
There are two main types of samarium cobalt magnets, and there are many grades under each type. The maximum energy product of samarium cobalt magnets ranges from 15MGOe to 32MGOe. In comparison, the strongest commercially available magnets have a maximum energy product of 52 MGOe.
The two types of samarium cobalt magnets are Sm1Co5 and Sm2Co17, but they are usually called 1-5 and 2-17. The maximum energy product range of the 1-5 series is 15 to 24MGOe, and the maximum operating temperature is 250 degrees Celsius. The maximum energy product range of the 2-17 series is between 22 and 32 MGOe, and the maximum operating temperature is 350 degrees Celsius.
SmCo magnet performance parameter table
You can refer to the performance parameter table of samarium cobalt magnets below. It is mainly necessary to understand the two types of samarium cobalt magnets and the high temperature resistance parameters, which will help us choose the appropriate type of samarium cobalt magnets. Most of the 2-17 types of SmCo magnets are in the commercial market now, and there are very few 1-5 SmCo magnets produced.
Due to their thermal stability, they are the magnets of choice for many demanding applications such as electric motors and generators in the manufacturing, automotive and aerospace industries. Samarium cobalt magnets are also more resistant to corrosion and demagnetization forces than neodymium magnets because they contain little or no iron. However, like neodymium magnets, they are very hard and very brittle, which means they are prone to chipping and breaking if they come into direct collision with hard metals.
Due to the cost of producing SmCo magnets, the disadvantage of SmCo magnets is their high cost compared to Neodymium magnets. Due to their properties, samarium cobalt magnets are most commonly used in applications requiring high temperature operation such as generators, pump couplings, sensors, electric motors, marine applications as well as automotive, aerospace, military, food and manufacturing.
Summary: If the temperature requirements are relatively high, you can choose SmCo magnets, and if you have high magnetic performance requirements, choose NdFeB magnets.