Why is the surface finish of my magnets degrading?

To protect our neodymium magnets from corrosion, the magnets are coated with three layers - nickel copper nickel. However, this surface treatment can be damaged by strong pressure or collision of magnets. Strong impacts can even break the magnets. This is not caused by poor quality, but is a typical characteristic. The neodymium-iron-boron material is strongly magnetic, but also brittle, as it is created by sintering metal powder. Therefore, neodymium magnets must be handled with great care.

Chipped surface finish on magnetic cubes

Broken magnetic rings and disc magnets

Here are a few tips on how to keep magnets safe

• Do not expose magnets to collisions and repeated mechanical pressure (e.g. impacts).
• Separate large magnets with a piece of cardboard.
• Store magnets separately, preferably on a thin iron sheet.