Application Watch: High-performance NdFeB magnets for audio products widely produced

Makers of NdFeB magnets in China emphasize N50 and N52 types to meet requirements, especially in upscale audio products such as amplifiers.

NdFeB magnets feature high magnetic energy product and coercive force, allowing use of smaller kinds that help reduce the size and weight of terminal applications. With such attributes, these are broadly adopted in audio products, toys, medical devices, motors, mechanical machines, automatic control, electric vehicles or EVs and wind energy systems.

In China, audio products account for 32 percent of neodymium magnet shipments, followed by motors and sensors with 31 percent, magnetizers with 21 percent and others the rest, according to a report on Sohu.com.

To enhance the market base in the audio industry, local manufacturers of the magnet highlight their selections of models with high N ratings. N50 variants are generally common, while those with an N52 grade can be sourced from midsize and large companies. Both are expected to become hot in this application, especially in upscale audio products such as amplifiers that are trending toward small and lightweight but high-fidelity designs.

The manufacturing industry for NdFeB magnets in China, which covers sintered and bonded types, has been steadily growing, according to the Association of China Rare Earth. Output is anticipated to maintain a rate of increase within 5 to 10 percent in the months ahead, while high-end neodymium variants will likely exceed this range in coming years. The major drivers include EVs, home appliances, electric tools, robotics and audio products.

China is the largest production base for the line, responsible for up to 90 percent of global shipments. The key export markets are Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and North America, with Germany, Japan and the US topping the country list. Total volume sent overseas has been rising by more than 10 percent and this trend is forecast to persist in the next two years.

About 300 suppliers make up China's NdFeB magnet manufacturing pool. Over 90 percent of the companies are small and midsize locally owned operations.

Of the region's aggregate production, 58 percent comes from the top 25 makers. Zhong Ke San Huan, Innuovo, Tianjin Tianhe, Zhenghai Magnetic, Ningbo Yunsheng and JL Mag are among them.

Most domestic enterprises in the bonded segment have an annual output of less than 1,500 tons, and about 8 percent of them surpass 3,000 tons.

Few homegrown suppliers are expected to join the line in the next two years due to intense competition. Some small businesses may drop out.

The main NdFeB magnet production bases in China include Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanxi and Shandong provinces, specifically the cities of Dongyang and Ningbo in the first, and Xuzhou and Liyang in the second. The municipality of Tianjin, and the cities of Baotuo in Inner Mongolia and Ganzhou in Jiangxi province are also where many factories operate.

Worldwide, the high end is dominated by foreign companies such as Hitachi Metals, Shin-Etsu Chemical, TDK and VAC. Combined, their shares of the market exceed 40 percent.

Sintered types

For audio products, China makers offer sintered kinds in grades of N35, N38, N40, N45, N50 and N52.

Units have a maximum energy product ranging from 260 to 390kJ/cubic meter and an intrinsic coercivity of more than 955kOe under an operating temperature of 80 to 220 C.

Suppliers accept customization. Such products represent more than 90 percent of output for most of them.

The key materials used include NdFeB magnetic powder, zinc, nickel and copper, all of which are sourced locally.

The cost of manufacturing inputs has not changed much, but prices of neodymium magnets have gone down as companies stay competitive. The same trend is expected in the months ahead, with quote reduction to be about 5 percent.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our China-based market analyst for representing current trends in NdFeB magnets from China makers.

N35 to N52 NdFeB magnet

In N35 to N52 variants, this NdFeB magnet with nickel, zinc, gold or epoxy coating from Huizhou Dechuang Magnet Industry Technology Co. Ltd, N35-1-3568 model, operates in 80 to 220 C. It suits sensors, motors, rotors, loudspeakers, magnetic hooks and holders, filters and automotive applications, and wind turbines and generators.

The order quantity is negotiable. Delivery lead time is 14 days.

Inquire Now

30 to 53MGOe sintered NdFeB magnet

Neopro Technology Materials Co. Ltd offers the model Neo-101-43 sintered NdFeB magnet in N35 to N52, 33M to 50M, 30H to 48H, 30SH to 45SH, 30UH to 40UH, 28EH to 38EH and 30AH to 33AH grades. The unit with 30 to 53MGOe maximum energy product may be coated with nickel, zinc, gold, copper, epoxy, chemical or parylene.

The minimum order of 1,000 units is delivered within 7 days.

Inquire Now

N35 sintered NdFeB magnet

The model HHS1120-8 sintered NdFeB magnet with nickel plating from Ningbo Hui Hesing Advanced-Tech Material Co. Ltd comes in N35 grade and measures 20x3mm.

An order of at least 1,000 units is required for delivery within 8 days.

Inquire Now

NdFeB magnet supports 80 to 230 C

From Xiamen Yuxiang Magnetic Materials Technology Co. Ltd, the model Magnet Arc 2-1-1-1-1-1-11343 NdFeB magnet is coated with nickel, zinc, gold, black or gray epoxy or phosphate, and comes in grades of N35 to N52, N30M to N50M,N30H to N48H, N30SH to N45SH, N28UH to N40UH and N28EH to N38EH. It has ≥11Oe intrinsic coercive force and 80 to 230 C operating temperature.

The maker requires an order of at least 2,000 units. Delivery lead time is 10 days.

Inquire Now