Samarium cobalt magnets are part of the rare earth family of magnets and have a maximum energy product range from 15 MGOe to 32 MGOe. There are 11 subgrades of samarium cobalt magnets grouped into two main types, known as samarium cobalt (1-5) and samarium cobalt (2-17). These main groups are given their titles based on their ratio or samarium atoms to cobalt atoms, e.g. the 1-5 range all have one samarium atom per five cobalt atoms. Samarium cobalt (1-5) is the older of the two types and typically has a maximum energy product of 15-24 MGOe and is almost obsolete having generally been superseded in most industrial applications by the more recently developed 2-17 type, which provides a maximum energy product of 22-32 MGOe and a higher maximum operating temperature. Below, you can see a list of all the commercially available samarium cobalt magnet grades and their magnetic properties.
Samarium Cobalt magnets, the first commercialized “Rare Earth” magnets were introduced in the early 1970s. Today, they are used most often in applications which involve elevated temperatures and the need for high magnetic properties.
Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) magnets are mainly made from rare earth metal samarium and strategic metal cobalt, together with iron, copper, zirconium and praseodymium. SmCo magnets have high performance and low-temperature coefficient, and the maximum working temperature can reach 350°C. They do not require coatings because they are difficult to be eroded and oxidized. SmCo magnets rank similarly in strength to neodymium magnets but have much higher temperature stability and higher coercivity.
Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) magnets offer designers a tremendous combination of extremely high magnetic properties, outstanding thermal stability and excellent corrosion resistance. As part of the rare earth group of permanent magnets, Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) magnets typically fall into two families of materials. They include rare earth SmCo5 and Sm2Co17 and are commonly referred to as 1:5 and 2:17 materials.
Samarium Cobalt magnets are highly resistant to corrosion and require no special surface treatment. This makes Samarium Cobalt an excellent choice for compact designs where high-temperature environments may be present.