Abstract
Permanent magnets are an essential technology for energy conversion. Motors and generators are used to convert energy between electrical and mechanical forms. Permanent magnets must be pre-charged (magnetized) prior to their use in an application and must maintain this magnetization during operation. In addition, permanent magnets must generate sufficient magnetic flux for a given application. Nevertheless, permanent magnets can be demagnetized by a number of circumstances, including the presence of other magnetic materials in their service,1 temperature changes (thermal demagnetization), microstructural degradation, and even the magnet’s own Âé¶¹Ó°Òô demagnetizing field. Therefore, the performance of a permanent magnet can be best understood by examining its ability to withstand demagnetization and to supply the magnetic flux required in a given application. Some of these properties are discussed further. Additive manufacturing, followed by exchange spring magnets will be discussed later.