What are Neodymium Magnets?

The neodymium magnets are the most powerful that exist on Earth and are made up of three main elements: Neodymium, Iron, and Boron. These rare magnets can be really small and can be purchased in disc, sphere, block, or ring shapes according to your needs. Despite being a brittle material, it has incredible magnetic strength and high resistance to demagnetization. They are found in different grades, with the N35 being one of the smoothest and most common for miniatures and modeling, and the N52 is the most powerful.

What is the difference between N52 and n35 magnets?

The denominations N35, N42, N52, etc... refer to the qualities of the material used in its production. The higher the value of "N", the more powerful it will be.

In modeling, N35 is usually used as the minimum attractive power and N52 as the maximum possible on planet Earth. The difference between the N35 and N52 is about 25% more power of attraction. If you put them in a pile and bend them at an intermediate point with your fingers, it is even possible to notice the difference in strength between 2 of them of the same size, but with different grades "N".

The difference between them lies in their respective magnetic strengths or grades. Here are the key distinctions:

1. Magnetic Strength: The numeric value in the grade represents the maximum energy product of the magnet, which is a measure of its magnetic strength. N52 has a higher maximum energy product than N35, indicating greater magnetic force and attraction.
2. Power of Attraction: N52 exhibits a stronger power of attraction compared to N35. They can attract or hold ferromagnetic materials with more force, making them more suitable for applications that require a higher magnetic pull or stronger bonding.
3. Size and Weight: Given the higher magnetic strength, they can achieve the same level of attraction as N35 while being smaller and lighter in size. This makes them particularly advantageous when size and weight constraints are critical in an application.
4. Availability and Cost: N35 is more commonly available and generally more affordable compared to the other stronger ones. The stronger version, being of higher grade and possessing stronger magnetic properties, is more specialized and may be less readily available or come at a higher cost.

When selecting between them, consider the specific requirements of your application. If you need the maximum magnetic strength or if space and weight are limiting factors, N52 would be the preferred choice. However, if the strength requirements are less demanding and cost or availability are considerations, N35 may be suitable.

It's worth noting that other factors such as size, shape, and magnetization direction also impact the overall performance and suitability for a given application.

Where to buy Neodymium magnets for wargames?

On the official website of Green Stuff World, you have all the neodymium ndfeb magnets for wargames that you may need in packages of 50 or 100 units depending on the needs. You can find a definitive solution for your movement trays, and transport cases as well as for the magnetization of miniatures.

We have magnetic sheets to cut with scissors, as well as the same ones but already pre-cut for quick and immediate use. We also have Rubber Steel Sheets to cut with scissors to metalize surfaces where you can stick your magnets. And finally all kinds of magnetic solutions in many shapes and sizes for the bases of your miniatures in 2 forces of attraction N35 and N52, the latter being the strongest on the market.

Green Stuff World is a well-regarded supplier that specializes in providing a diverse array of hobby and modeling supplies. They have gained a strong reputation for their extensive product selection, which includes magnetic products specifically tailored for scale models and wargame miniatures.

Why use Neodymium magnets in miniatures?

To save or display all the miniatures you have, it is best to do so on a magnetic base where the figures sit and remain fixed without moving. To do this, you can insert them into the base of each of the figures so that they fit correctly.
Normally the bottom inner gap of a plastic miniature base is approximately 2mm, so we can never use anything thicker than 3mm to magnetize figures, and therefore we can only increase the diameter to be used. It is also possible to use smaller than 2mm, but you will need to put a ball of green putty between the magnet and the plastic inner gap of the base to fill in and help the magnet to set.

Super Strong Magnets are widely used in the construction of Miniatures carry cases (or army boxes). These suitcases have trays with metal plates or rubber steel sheets where the miniatures are attached thanks to the NdFeB magnets that we add to the bases. They are also widely used to build movement trays, which follow a process similar to that of suitcases, placing the metals on the trays and then magnetizing your minis.

How to create a magnetic base for your miniatures?

The most important thing to create a movement tray is to use the right combination of metal plate and magnet.
We always recommend gluing a rubber steel sheet that can be cut with scissors on the movement tray. The trays can also be found in our online store.

Once you have the movement tray with its rubber steel sheet, then we can use 4 types for figures:

- Adhesive vinyl (fridge magnet type) is used to hold light plastic figures that move as a block. Cheaper option.
- 3x2mm are used to hold medium plastic miniatures to their transport bases.
- 5x2mm are used to hold lead or metal miniatures to their transport bases
- 8x2mm are used to hold very heavy miniatures to their transport bases

How to attach Super Strong Magnets to miniatures?

Attaching them to your figures can be a great way to make your miniatures more versatile and interactive. They can be used to connect the miniatures to metallic surfaces, as well as to other miniature parts such as arms, weapons, horses, etc ..., allowing for dynamic and customizable gaming experiences.

For that, you will need: 

• Hobby Hand Drill to make the holes to hide them. 
• Instant CA glue to be able to work fast and securely.
• Sandpaper or a file to rough up the surface of the miniature base where you will attach the magnet. This will help the glue adhere better.
• Green Stuff Epoxy putty to improve grip as well as to the level and fill excessively large voids. 

Once the glue is completely dry, your miniatures will be ready to use. You can experiment with different magnet sizes and strengths to find the best combination for your gaming needs.

To improve the gluing to the inner parts of the plastic bases of the figures, we recommend following the steps below:

1. Mix the two components of epoxy putty, for example, green stuff putty, and create small balls to fit between the base and the permanent magnet without protruding.
2. Make a mark with paint/permanent pen on the same face of all of them to know where each pole is at each moment.
3. Place a drop of cyanoacrylate in the center of the putty and place a rare earth permanent magnet on each one.
4. Place a magnet on top of each green putty ball, and press the base against your desk so that the magnet sinks in and is placed flush with the edge of the base.
5. Let dry and you already have your figures and the movement tray totally magnetized.

In our online store, you have a wide variety of N35 and N52 in different sizes that you can adapt to the size of your figures and your bases.

What is the difference between a neodymium magnet and a ferrite magnet?

Ferrite versions are traditional, less powerful and do not have a silver coating, and can even loosen small particles during handling. These types are easier to oxidize and have much less attractive power than neodymium magnets.

Neodymium magnets are manufactured with a coating of copper and nickel that gives them that striking silver color but does not prevent them from being very brittle. They can become small enough to be used in the assembly of figures, models, and miniatures, which is why they are widely used in wargames.

Are neodymium magnets safe to children?

It is important to know that they are not toys, no matter how they are sold. They are dangerous items for children and therefore you should keep them away from them.

When ingested, they can stick to each other through the stomach or intestine, causing internal ruptures or fistulas, creating perforations in the intestines that could even cause death. They have been banned or limited in many countries due to their danger if they are not adequately controlled.

However, its proper and controlled use by an adult does not pose any danger to health.

What are neodymium magnets used for?

Neodymium magnets, or super strong magnets, are not only used in the world of modeling and RC bodies but there are many sectors where they are used for different purposes. Among the most common are:

• Furniture industry. In certain areas of the furniture, it is possible to place these types of supermagnets to fix decorative panels without using adhesives or screws. In addition, in some furniture models, they can be assembled precisely and without the need for tools. In the case of drawers and doors, the connection is not only secure, but also silent and requires no visible hardware.
• Automotive: they are often used in electric or hybrid engines, in the suspension system and in brakes. In the former, they help to create the necessary power and efficiency. In the latter, they are essential for smooth and comfortable vehicle handling. Finally, some manufacturers use neodymium magnets in the braking system to increase braking power and reduce noise,
• Lighting systems. They manage to reduce energy consumption in the electronic ballasts of fluorescent and LED lamps, thus improving their efficiency. On the other hand, they increase sound quality and power in loudspeakers.
• Plastics industry. They are essential during the plastic injection process in molds, as they secure the parts during molding. In addition, magnetic separation is used to separate ferromagnetic plastics in the recycling process.
• Metallurgical industry. During the welding process, they hold the metal parts, allowing welding with greater precision and safety. They also play an important role in the mechanism of sorting machines that separate ferromagnetic from non-ferromagnetic metals.
• Food industry. They separate metals from food, ensuring food safety. As in many other industries, it is often used to secure transportation.
• Do-it-yourself projects. They are used in a wide variety of projects, both furniture of all kinds and simpler ones. As in the kitchen with knives, in DIY workshops small tools are often attached to the wall on long magnet plates to keep order and keep some utensils close at hand.
• Construction. Many construction companies use them to secure concrete formwork to make it safe. Also, in spirit levels, it improves the accuracy of the tool.
• Manufacturing. Again, in robotics, they hold parts during the assembly process.
• Electronic devices. In headphones, speakers and microphones improve audio quality, including those embedded in a mobile device. In hard disks, they hold rotating platters and improve read accuracy and structure.
• Magnetic levitation. Neodymium magnets are essential in magnetic levitation, both in large machinery (magnetic levitation trains) and in smaller projects (displays that create the illusion of floating in the air and the like).
• Magnetic motors. In wind power generators, they help during the process of converting the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity. They are also present in the motors of electric vehicles.

How are neodymium magnets made?

Also known as  neodymium NdFeB, they are mainly composed of three elements:

1. Neodymium (Nd): a rare earth material that provides most of the magnet's magnetic strength. It represents approximately 35% of the weight of the part.
2. Iron (Fe): this element provides structure and support. It contributes between 65% and 75% of the total weight.
3. Boron (B): It acts as a stabilizing element and helps to improve the collective strength of the magnet, i.e. its resistance to demagnetization. Its weight is a very small proportion of the total weight of the part, between 1% and 3%.

In addition to the three main ones, neodymium magnets may contain small amounts of other elements, usually cobalt, nickel, dysprosium, praseodymium, and terbium. Small amounts are added to improve the specific properties of the magnet: collective strength, corrosion resistance or working temperature.

The manufacture of these super strong magnets occurs through a process known as sintering, during which neodymium, iron, and boron powders are mixed in the appropriate proportions and compacted in a mold. The mold is then heated to a temperature of around 850°C so that the powders synthesize and fuse together, forming a dense, solid material.

How long do neodymium magnets last?

Neodymium magnets are known for their permanent magnetism, which means that they retain their magnetic strength for a long time. In theory, if it is of quality it should last for hundreds of years, or even centuries without losing a significant amount of its magnetic strength. However, in practice, the lifespan of a neodymium magnet can be affected by several factors:

• Temperature. This product gradually loses magnetic strength as temperature increases. The Curie temperature is the point at which a magnet completely loses its magnetism. Initially, the Curie temperature of this type of magnet was around 120ºC, but new technologies have succeeded in raising it to 230ºC.
• Demagnetization. They can not only lose strength if exposed to high temperatures, but can also demagnetize if exposed to a sufficiently intense alternating current, reducing their magnetic field to 0.
• Corrosion. They are very susceptible to corrosion, which is why they are always sold bathed in another antirust material, thus extending their useful life. The better the coating and the better it is preserved, the longer it will last.
• Shocks and vibrations. Neodymium magnets are fragile and can break if dropped or hit hard. These breakages affect their integrity and weaken their magnetism.

In contrast, to prolong the life of magnets it is recommended to store them in a cool, dry place, avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures, keep them away from other super strong magnets and strong electromagnetic fields, protect them from corrosion with a protective coating if not already purchased with it, and avoid knocks and breakage. How all these factors affect a supermagnet will depend on the quality of the magnet.

We recommend you check out our selection of board games, modeling glue, and our rotatable display stand.