Neodymium magnets and safety
This article provides an overview of the safety hazards associated with neodymium magnets and how to avoid them.
Swallowing
If multiple magnets are swallowed, there is a risk of them being trapped in the intestines and subsequently causing serious health complications. Magnets are not toys, make sure children do not play with them.
Magnets are brittle
Neodymium magnets attract with great force. They may break or splinter upon impact, handle with care. After the collision of strong magnets, sharp fragments can fly several metres and injure the eyes. When working with larger magnets, wear safety goggles and make sure other people are also protected or are far enough away. Video instructions for separating and connecting magnets can be found at https://orodian.com/handling/.
Bruises
Neodymium magnets have tremendous attractive force. If handled carelessly, they can pinch the skin or fingers and cause bruising and contusions. Very large magnets can crush bones. Use strong protective gloves when handling large magnets. Before handling large magnets, watch the video guide at https://orodian.com/handling/.
Pacemaker
Magnets can affect the operation of pacemakers and implanted defibrillators.
In the presence of magnets, the pacemaker can switch to test mode and cause nausea. The defibrillator may stop working.
If you wear these devices, keep a sufficient distance away from the magnets. Warn wearers of these devices against approaching magnets.
More information at https://orodian.com/pacemaker/.
Heavy objects
Excessive or sudden overload or damage to the magnet can cause the magnet or magnetic hook to detach from the attracted surface. The specified breakaway force applies under ideal conditions. Therefore, factor in a large reserve.
Falling objects can cause serious injury. Do not use magnets in places where people could be injured if the magnets fail.
Magnetic field
Magnets produce a strong magnetic field that can damage TVs, laptops, some types of watches, headphones, speakers or other electronic devices and cause data on hard drives, cassettes and payment cards to be erased.
Therefore, keep them at a sufficient distance from these objects. The table of recommended distances can be found at https://orodian.com/magnets-and-electronics/.
Do not bring neodymium magnets close to weaker types of magnets (magnetic sheets and tapes, ferrites, AlNiCo, SmCo). Their strong magnetic field could demagnetise weaker magnets.
Allergy to nickel
Most of our magnets contain nickel. Some people may have an allergic reaction to nickel. Long-term contact with nickel-plated magnets can cause an allergy.
Avoid long-term contact of nickel-plated magnets with the skin.
If you already have a nickel allergy, avoid any contact with magnets.
Sending by mail
The magnetic field around the package can damage surrounding packages or postal sorting machines. For shipping, use a box lined from the inside on all sides to achieve a safe distance between the magnets and the surface of the package. Arrange the magnets in the package so that their magnetic fields cancel each other out. With very strong magnets, you can shield the magnetic field with steel sheets.
Transport by plane
The magnetic field of improperly packaged magnets can affect aircraft navigation devices. When transporting magnets by plane or sending them abroad, make sure that the packaging meets all safety standards.
Oxidation
Neodymium magnets without a protective surface oxidize and weaken over time. That is why all our magnets are protected by surface treatment. Avoid damaging the finish.
The most common nickel-copper-nickel finish is not resistant to moisture and is unsuitable for outdoor use. For outdoor use, a rubber, plastic or epoxy resin surface is more suitable.
You can read more about the advantages and disadvantages of different surface treatments at https://orodian.com/surface-treatment/.
Temperature resistance
Conventional neodymium magnets lose part of their strength at temperatures above 80 °C. Do not expose magnets to extremely high temperatures. If you need magnets with greater heat resistance, use the form at https://orodian.com/custom-magnets/.
Mechanical processing
Neodymium magnets are brittle, sensitive to high temperature and oxidize easily.
The magnet may break when drilling or sawing with unsuitable tools. A magnet with a damaged surface will begin to oxidize and lose its strength over time.
The magnet can also lose its strength due to the generated heat. The resulting hot metal dust can also ignite. Avoid mechanical processing of magnets – we can also meet special requirements for their shape.
More information at https://orodian.com/custom-magnets/.
