How long will magnets retain their magnetism?

Our magnets retain their magnetism for many years, though a very slight, almost negligible degradation in magnetism will take place after many years.

Keep magnets away from very high temperatures.  If you do then the degradation of our magnets is very slow, in the order of roughly one percentage point every 10 years.

What is meant by Isotropic Magnetic Sheet?

During manufacture a magnet made of magnetically isotropic material has no preferred direction of magnetism and has the same properties along either axis. During manufacture, isotropic material can be manipulated so that the magnetic field is applied in any direction. Neodymium magnets are anisotropic due to their strength; on the other hand, flexible magnets (magnetic sheet, magnetic tape) are usually isotropic allowing all of the magnetic field to be exerted from one side of the sheet.

 

Will Using Magnetic Signs on My Vehicle Cause Damage to the Paintwork?

Magnetic sheet has been used, successfully, as vehicle signs for several decades. However, in exceptional circumstances, it may result in damage to vehicle paintwork. The following guidance is given to avoid the risk of any damage occurring. We have undertaken numerous tests of our own using this guidance advice with the application of magnetic signs to vehicles and although during this testing we have not caused any damage to vehicle paintwork we cannot guarantee that there will not be an adverse reaction between the magnetic sheet and the vehicle paintwork as we do not have control over how the material may be altered, stored, cared for and used. As such customers must be aware of the risks involved.

Do not attach magnetic sheet to freshly painted surfaces, especially non-factory applied finishes.

Do notuse on body panels containing non-ferrous filler since this will greatly reduce the magnetic performance

Do clean and polish the area of the vehicle intended for the sign with a good quality wax polish.

Do make sure that both the vehicle and magnetic sheet are clean and dry prior to placing the magnetic sheet on the paintwork.

Do make sure that the magnetic sign is regularly removed, cleaned with soapy water without any solvents, rinsed, dried and re-applied. Ideally this should be done daily but at least every two days. In very hot weather, it MUST be done daily.

Do make sure that all of the magnetic sheet is in contact with the vehicle, avoiding any heavily contoured areas, to ensure maximum performance and as such avoid any movement of the sign whilst in use at higher speeds.

When not in use on the vehicle store the magnetic sign flat, preferably on a flat ferrous surface to avoid the magnetic face attracting airborne ferrous dust.

What Thickness of Magnetic Sheet Should I Use?

What Thickness of Magnetic Sheet Should I Use?

This question is almost like the perennial how long is a piece of string question. In answering the question firstly we would need to ask back, "what is your intened use for the magnetic sheet?"

As a rule of thumb if you are using the magnetic sheet for temporary signs to go on a vehicle then the 0.85mm thick magnetic sheet should be used (this has sufficient pull force, if used correctly, to stay on the side of a vehicle up to 70mph). If you are using the magnetic sheet for indoor displays such as fridge magnets or temporary internal signage then the 0.5mm magnetic sheet can be used as this has enough magnetic pull to hold itself in place when not subject to any other environmental factors.

If you are still unsure which thickness of magnetic sheet to use for your particular application please do contact our Sales Office for further advice on 0114 249 5949

What is an Anisotropic Magnet?

A magnet is described as anisotropic if all of its magnetic domains are aligned in the same direction. This is achieved during the manufacturing process and ensures that the domains are 100% orientated in the same direction to deliver maximum magnetic output. This direction is called the ‘magnetic axis’.

The alignment is achieved by subjecting each magnet to a strong electromagnetic field at a critical point during the manufacturing process, which then ‘locks’ the domains parallel to the applied electromagnetic field.

An anisotropic magnet can only be magnetised in the direction (along its magnetic axis) set during manufacture, attempts to magnetise the magnet in any other direction will result in no magnetism. Anisotropic magnets are much stronger than isotropic magnets, which have randomly orientated magnetic domains producing much less magnetism. However, isotropic magnets have the advantage of being able to be magnetised in any direction.

What are magnetic poles?

A magnet’s poles are the surfaces from which lines of magnetism leave a magnet and reconnect on return to the magnet. The pole of a magnet is the area which has the greatest magnetic field strength in a given direction (north or south). Each pole is either north facing or south facing.

If you break a magnet into two pieces each piece will still have a north pole and a south pole. No matter how small the piece of magnet is, it will always have a north pole and a south pole. Despite some claims on the internet there is no such thing as a monopole magnet.

Which pole of a magnet should I use?

Both the north pole or south pole of a magnet are equal in holding power and both will stick equally well to magnet receptive material such as steel, iron or our Flexometal sheet. 

The like poles of two magnets (e.g. north facing north or south facing south) will always repel each other while opposite poles (e.g. north facing south or south facing north) will always attract. We supply self-adhesive and countersunk magnets with either pole on the magnetic face so that it is possible to pair them up so that they will hold together – north facing south and visa versa.

Is it dangerous to be near our magnets if you have a pacemaker fitted?

If a heart pacemaker is in close proximity to a strong magnet (such as some of our neodymium magnets) then the function of the pacemaker will be affected as the magnet can cause the pacemaker to function in a manner that does not respond to the user’s own heart rhythm. We would advise that people who have pacemakers fitted do not allow strong magnets to be put close to their chests.