Why are Neodymium magnets coated?
Neodymium magnets are mainly a composition of Neodymium, Iron and Boron and hence are also referred to as NIB magnets. When these magnets are exposed to air, the Iron in Neodymium magnets can rust and ruin the magnet. Thus, to prevent the magnet from corrosion and to strengthen the brittle magnet material, Neodymium magnets are coated with nickel. Zinc, tin, epoxy, gold and silver are also used for coating Neodymium magnets. The type of coating does not affect the performance of the Neodymium magnet. The type of coating is selected based on the company’s preference or application. Nickel has a shiny silver finish and has good corrosion resistance. Black nickel has a shiny charcoal finish and is slightly more resistant to corrosion than regular nickel. Zinc has a bluish finish and can often leave an unappealing black residue on hands. Epoxy is a popular plastic coating that is 100% corrosion resistant. It is very popular when using magnets for manufacturing toys. Unfortunately, it lasts
