The Attraction of Repelling Magnets

The Attraction of Repelling Magnets

By: Michael Brand, President, SM Magnetics

There is a unique phenomenon where repelling magnets can actually attract. Our engineers have provided research and an abstract that gives explanation for magnets attracting when they should be repelling. Below is the technical abstract, which included George Mizzell, VP of Engineering at SM Magnetics, as one of the individuals involved in the experiments, and establishing the rationale and reasons.

The interaction between two permanent magnets with significantly different permeance coefficients

Even though Gauss’ law for magnetic flux density (B-field) indicates there is no free magnetic charge, we can still define the effective bound magnetic charges from the magnetization of magnetic material [1]. The positive magnetic charge is what we usually called the “north pole”, and correspondingly, the negative magnetic charge is what we usually called the “south pole”. The interaction between the magnetic charges is governed by Coulomb’s law so that like poles repel and unlike poles attract [2].

However, experiment shows that when two permanent magnets with significantly different permeance coefficients-Pc (say, a small one with dimension of D4mm*4mm and Pc of 3.46, and a big one with dimension of D24mm*2mm and Pc of 0.18) were put together, with their directions of magnetization (DOM) pointing against each other, instead of repelling, they will attract to each other, especially when the coercivity of the big magnet is relatively low.

This phenomenon may lead people to think that Coulomb’s law for magnetic charges is not always right, and in some cases, like poles will attract. In this work, we show that the above bizarre phenomenon is caused by the partial demagnetization in the low Pc magnet, rather than violation of Coulomb’s law. The working point for the stand-alone low Pc (N50 grade) is very near to the knee of its demagnetizing curve, so it’s very vulnerable to the external and its self-demagnetizing field.

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) shows that demagnetization happens obviously in the central region of the magnet with low Pc, but the magnetization remains in the same direction all over the magnet. FEA also gives an attractive force when the above low Pc and high Pc magnets are close to each other and with opposite direction of magnetizations - DOMs. Based on the magnetic charge model and Coulomb’ law, the numerical integration of Coulomb’s force is carried out, which gives almost the same attractive force as FEA.

 

References

[1] J. M. D. Coey, Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 2010, Cambridge University Press, p.45.

[2] Soshin Chikazumi, Physics of Ferromagnetism, second edition, 1997, Oxford University Press, p.3.

Fig.1 - working point for the small and big magnets of different grades.

Fig.2 - FEA results of magnetization distribution and magnetic force. (only half of the model is shown)

 

Figure 1

Demag curve showing working point for the small and big magnets of different grades

 

Figure 2

FEA results of magnetization distribution and magnetic force

 

About SM Magnetics: SM Magnetics is a privately-owned company which provides assistance with magnets, magnetic circuit design, engineering support, and production. For more information, log on to our website, www.smmagnetics.com, or contact us at 205-621-8841.





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