Flexible Bonded Magnets

Properties	Applications	Manufacturing Methods
Magnetizing and Handling	Magnetic Properties

Flexible magnets are known for their power, versatile designs and applications. The flexibility and machinability has enabled them to take various forms and shapes which is otherwise difficult for the brittle magnets. Without losing magnetic energy flexible magnets can be twisted, folded, coiled etc.

Properties

• Flexible magnets can be molded into variety of shapes and sizes. In lower energy grades the popular shapes are strip and sheet whereas, in higher energy grades disc and bar shapes are popular.
• Need no special coating against protection.
• They are easy to fabricate.
• There is linear demagnetization of flexible magnets with temperature.

Applications
Flexible magnets are applied in the following fields:

• Labeling and holding
• Door gaskets and signs
• Crafts, toys and games
• Magnetic signs
• Production control (or visual aid) systems
• Warehouse shelf labeling
• Door gaskets, door and cabinet closures
• Small tool and instrument holders
• Movable markers
• Advertising premiums
• Magnetic business cards
• Architectural planning layouts

Manufacturing Methods
The manufacturing of flexible bonded magnets involve following methods:

• Extrusion
• Calendering

In extrusion method, materials are produced in strip form whereas In calendering process materials are produced in sheet form. In both methods firstly the compound is formed, which is a wet slurry of powder in the binder material.

In Extrusion process, heated compound is squeezed through a Shaped die and then cooling the material as it exits the die and in the process magnetized the material. In Calendering process compound Is squeezed between the rollers to form a sheet. The sheet is pressed several times into the rollers until the desired thickness of the sheet is achieved which is later slit into desire width.

Magnetizing and Handling
Flexible magnets are magnetized by using multiple poles on one surface which gives greater holding force. Since the flexible magnets are relatively weak and are not brittle hence no special handling precautions have to be taken.

Magnetic properties
The magnetic property of the flexible magnets include their tensile strength, density, hardness, performing temperature, elongation rate etc. To have a broader perspective of the magnetic properties click the link below