Neodymium Is The Heart Of Wind Turbines

As a result of global warming, many countries are trying to cater their energy requirements using the green energy sources. Solar energy and wind energy have gained much attention as a result of that. Out of these two options, wind power is recognized as the most effective method available to generate energy. In order to generate this energy, large scale wind farms should be there in operation and they need to have efficient turbines. 

Have you ever wondered what makes these turbines convert wind power into energy? They have in-built motors that are made out of a special rare earth magnet called neodymium. Special properties that exist in this rare earth magnet have forced people to use them in motors that are used in wind turbines. China is responsible for about 90% of the world’s neodymium requirements. This rare earth magnet is made as a result of chemical bonds that take place in between other minerals and materials. Therefore, they need to be extracted using special methods, which cause huge environmental impacts. This has resulted in the production of inconsumable underground water in some parts of China. 

Neodymium can be considered as a powerful and a strong magnet. Its weight is significantly low when compared to other rare earth magnets available. Moreover, it is affordable and the manufacturers can use them in their productions without any hesitation. These reasons have forced people to use neodymium in the production of wind turbines since there is no better option available. 

The neodymium industry faced a huge problem after 2010 along with the restrictions that Chinese government put on their rare earth magnet exports. Xingjian and Siemens, who are two of the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturers, have greatly been affected by these restrictions. However, Enercon, which is a German manufacturer that make direct drive turbines without neodymium have not been affected by this because they follow a unique path. They don’t need to use permanent magnets because of their unique mechanism, but the cost associated in the production process is extremely high. Therefore, many wind turbine manufacturers, especially in United States have request China to continue their regular supply of rare earth magnets.  

About Stanford Magnets.

Based in California, Stanford Magnets has been involved in the R&D and sales of licensed Rare-earth magnets, Neodymium magnets and SmCo magnets, ceramic magnets, flexible magnets and magnetic assemblies since the mid of 1980s. We supply all these types of magnets in a wide range of shapes, sizes and grades.

How Shaped Neodymium Magnets Are Manufactured

Rare-earth magnets are widely known for their immense strength and numerous manufacturing applications. Precisely speaking, neodymium has unparalleled power and permanence over other rare-earth elements. Magnets containing neodymium, also called Neo magnets, come in various shapes such as arc, block, disc, cylinder and countersunk. Magnets of a specific shape are generally chipped from a manufactured standard block. During the producing process, atomic particles with their electron spin are put through a delicate and complex arrangement. After mine first, the raw material is crushed to a particulate substance and blend carefully through the grinding and alloy mixing process. This is how the manufacturer comes up with various grades of raw material.

Each grade of crushed material has unique magnetic properties. Therefore, different grades are of unique power of resistance against high temperatures and other environmental factors. Moreover, some grades are stronger and durable while others are not. The third step is pressing. The mixture is compressed together into a form and then followed by the fourth step called particle alignment. The producer of Neomagnets uses a very big electromagnet to align the material particles of the pressed mixture. This allows magnetization to be possible afterwards. After the alignment has taken place properly, the sintering procedure follows to ensure that the aligned particles are firmly locked into place. Note that special machines are required for all the machining procedures above.

Milling and cutting is the next necessary step in order for a refined mixture. Many magnets manufacturers use jet milling, which consists of highly pressurized gas put in an inert atmosphere. Expert millers can beat the scale of plus/minus 0.05 mm. They can manage to work with higher level of tolerance. Soon after producing finished arc magnets as well as other particular shapes, they are plated and connected with optional materials like epoxy, nickel, zinc, ABS plastic or copper. The aim is to protect the nascent and naked products from rusting; otherwise they are corroded rather fast. Neodymium magnets are alloys of iron, neodymium and boron, whose alloying property leads to their susceptibility to corrosion and collision. When it comes to collision and breakage, the underlying material feature is that atoms inside the magnet want to pull away from each other. There is no technical solution but to handle it cautiously. Therefore, safety information or handling guide must be attached with the final product.

Proper magnetization process takes place when all the steps mentioned above have been completed successfully. When a magnet is magnetized, it is given magnetic properties. The direction of particle alignment is considered and set up during the alignment phase. After magnetization is completed, neodymium arc magnets and other shapes must be sampled and tested through a quality assurance procedure. If they pass this process they are then considered ready for distribution and sale. Nowadays, it is easy to find a number of online retailers and distributors supplying neodymium magnets. But not all commercialized magnets have premier quality and good service. It is very important to check a vendor to see if it can provide polymorphic, customized, thermoduric neodymium magnets with good price, quality and turnaround time.

By Stanford Magnets

Stanford Magnets has been involved in R&D, manufacturing and sales of permanent magnets since the mid 1980s. We are supplier of rare earth permanent magnetic products such as neodymium magnets, and other non-rare earth permanent magnets. We have provided various customers in different fields, such as NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), loud speakers, wind turbines and mechanical devices, large quantities at very competitive pricing.