FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions (and their answers!)

Customers often ask us why a particular neodymium magnet from a competitor has an adhesive force of 400 kg, for instance, while our magnet of the same size is much "weaker".

Well, certain competitors simply measure the adhesive force incorrectly (see below). We are more than happy to lay out our procedure.

Procedure for measuring the adhesive force at supermagnete:

In order to identify the adhesive force of our neodymium magnets, we start by calculating the adhesive force with a computer program. Thereafter, we define the adhesive force with a self-developed adhesive force measuring machine. In our shop, we indicate the lower of the two values to make sure we don't promise an inflated adhesive force. You can rest assured that our magnets can reach the indicated adhesive force under ideal conditions. You can read about ideal conditions under FAQ "How strong is this magnet?"

Preparation:

On each magnet that we want to measure, we glue a little wooden block into which we screw a hook. Instead of wood we could also use aluminium or another non-magnetic material.

Measurements with our machine:

1. We attach the magnet to the 2 cm thick steel plate on the adhesive force measuring machine. The wooden block is directed upwards.

2. We connect the hook on the machine with the hook in the wooden block.

3. We use the car jack that is mounted on the side to pull until the magnet separates from the plate. The integrated digital scale stops when the maximum adhesive force was reached.

Wrong measurements with steel:

Other vendors often attach a piece of metal to the top of the magnet. Metal on the opposite side increases the adhesive force of a magnet dramatically. This procedure actually measures the adhesive force of a magnet system (magnet between two steel plates). This type of measurement does not correspond with the standardised and exactly defined method of measuring adhesive force (see document below).

Such technically incorrect executed measuring efforts lead to an alleged adhesive force of 400 kg for a 50 x 50 25 mm neodymium magnet (comparable with our DEATH MAGNET), which is simply impossible. A magnet of this size cannot reach such a high adhesive force, not even with the strongest possible N52 magnetisation.

In the end, these vendors deceive their customers. Our adhesive forces might not sound as spectacular as those of our competitors - but ours can be actually reached in reality.

Conclusion:

Magnets of identical shape, size and quality have the same adhesive force. Therefore, a 50 x 50 x 25 mm block magnet with a N42 quality has an adhesive force of approx. 100 kg - regardless of the vendor.

Further information:

The following document academically describes the measurement of adhesive force:
Test method to determine the breakaway force of a magnet.