What Are N52 Neodymium Magnets?

N52 neodymium magnets are sintered neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnets graded at a nominal maximum energy product of around 52 MGOe. That puts N52 towards the top end of the neodymium grades commonly available commercially. Higher grades do exist.

That doesn't automatically make N52 the best choice for every application. If you have room for a larger magnet, a lower grade may give you what you need at a lower cost. Temperature, shape, size and the way the magnet is used all matter too.

What Does the "N52" Number Mean?

The N52 name tells you two things about the magnet material: it is a neodymium magnet and it belongs to the grade with a nominal maximum energy product of around 52 MGOe.

N Is for Neodymium

N identifies sintered neodymium iron boron material and 52 refers to the grade’s nominal maximum energy product, around 52 MGOe. Published figures vary slightly between manufacturers. Arnold’s N52 material, shown in the table above, is listed at 51 MGOe.

NdFeB is the strongest permanent magnet material in common commercial use, which is why relatively small neodymium magnets can produce a strong magnetic field.

52 Is the Energy Product

The 52 refers to the magnet's maximum energy product, written as (BH)max and measured in megagauss oersteds (MGOe).

It describes how much magnetic energy the material can store per unit volume. A higher value generally means a magnet can produce more magnetic output from the same volume of material.

That doesn't mean an N52 magnet will always have proportionally more holding force than an N42 magnet. The finished magnet's size, shape, magnetic circuit and the material it is working against all affect the result.

What the Grade Doesn’t Tell You

The grade is only one part of the specification. N52 doesn’t tell you the magnet's shape or dimensions, its coating, or how much force it will produce in a particular application. It also doesn't give you a safe operating temperature on its own.

Temperature classes are indicated by suffixes such as H or SH, which identify higher-coercivity grades.

So an N52 rating shouldn't be treated as a finished magnet's pull-force rating or a guarantee of performance in a particular assembly.

How Much Stronger Is N52, Really?

There are a few different material properties worth looking at when comparing neodymium grades.

Remanence (Br) is the residual magnetic flux density left in the magnet after it has been magnetised. Intrinsic coercivity (Hcj) describes how resistant the material is to demagnetisation.

Published material properties from Arnold Magnetic Technologies are:

Source: Arnold Magnetic Technologies grade datasheets and N52 datasheet. Br and (BH)max are nominal values; Hcj is a minimum. Exact values vary slightly between manufacturers, which is why Arnold’s N52 material is listed at 51 MGOe rather than 52. Temperatures are manufacturer guidance, not Jobmaster product ratings.

On the nominal figures above, N52 has about 21% more energy product than N42, while its remanence is about 10% higher.

Those figures describe the magnet material, though. They don't translate directly into a finished magnet's pull force. A magnet's geometry and the magnetic circuit around it make a difference, as do things such as an air gap, paint or a thin piece of steel.

If you're comparing N42 and N52 for a specific application, compare magnets with the same dimensions under the same test conditions. Ideally, test the magnet in the actual assembly too.

Temperature: The Big Limitation

Temperature is one of the reasons not to choose N52 simply because it has a higher grade number.

Published working temperature guidance for standard N52 varies between manufacturers. Arnold lists 60°C for its N52 material, while MCE (Magnetic Component Engineering) lists 80°C. Arnold lists 80°C for its N35 through N50 grades.

Once a magnet is operated outside its suitable temperature range, it can lose magnetisation permanently. Magnetic output also changes as the magnet heats up, even before permanent demagnetisation occurs.

The magnet's shape and magnetic circuit matter here too. For example, a short, wide disc magnetised through its thickness can be more susceptible to heat-related demagnetisation than a longer magnet or one used in a more favourable magnetic circuit.

For applications where the magnet will run hotter, higher-coercivity grades are made. Arnold's published guidance gives 120°C for H, 150°C for SH and 180°C for UH grades.

Those figures are manufacturer guidance rather than a universal rating for every magnet. If temperature is important to your application, check the specification for the actual material and magnet you're buying.

What Are N52 Magnets Used For?

N52 is most useful when you need as much magnetic performance as possible from a limited amount of space or weight.

Common applications include:

• Compact designs: Sensors, small motors, compact couplings, consumer electronics and jewellery clasps where there isn't much room for a larger magnet.
• Weight-sensitive equipment: Robotics, drones and portable equipment where adding magnet volume isn't desirable.
• Fixtures and tooling: Clamps, fixtures and retrieval magnets where the available space is already fixed.
• Small holding applications: N52 can work well where you need a particular amount of holding force from a relatively small magnet.

There are also plenty of applications where N52 may be more than you need. Cupboard catches, signage, workshop tool holders, fridge magnets and general holding against thick steel may not benefit enough from the higher grade to justify the extra cost.

If you have room for a thicker or larger magnet, compare that option with N52 before specifying the higher grade.

Do You Actually Need N52?

Before choosing N52, look at the application rather than starting with the grade.

• Is the available space fixed? If it is, N52 may help you get more performance from a smaller magnet. If you have room to increase the magnet's size, compare that option with a lower grade.
• Will the magnet get warm? Check the working temperature for the specific grade and application. A higher-coercivity grade may be more suitable if temperatures are higher.
• What will the magnet be holding against? Thick, clean, flat steel gives a different result from thin, painted or curved steel. An air gap can reduce holding force significantly.
• How much pull force do you actually need? Choose the magnet around the required performance, with an appropriate margin, rather than automatically choosing the strongest grade available.
• What does the complete solution cost? N52 can carry a premium over lower grades. A larger N42 or N40 magnet may give you the performance you need for less.

For anything beyond a straightforward application, test a sample in the actual assembly before committing to a larger order.

Not sure which grade fits? Send us your application and we'll advise on grade, size and coating before you order.

Quality and Mislabelled N52

The N52 label itself doesn't prove what material is in the magnet. If the grade is important to your application, ask the supplier how the material specification is verified and what documentation is available for the batch you're buying.

For a specific order, tell us that the grade is critical when you enquire. We can then confirm what documentation or test information can be provided.

Handling N52 Safely

Neodymium magnets are brittle. If two larger magnets snap together, they can chip or shatter and may pinch fingers.

Keep strong neodymium magnets away from pacemakers, magnetic cards and sensitive electronic equipment. Don't drill, cut or machine a finished magnet yourself. The material can crack during machining, the resulting dust is flammable and the heat generated can affect the magnet's magnetic properties.

Loose magnets should also be kept away from children. Swallowing magnets can cause serious internal injuries. Health Canada warns about the risks associated with swallowed magnets.

If you think a magnet has been swallowed, seek immediate medical attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does N52 mean?

N identifies sintered neodymium iron boron material and 52 refers to its nominal maximum energy product, around 52 MGOe.

The number describes the energy density of the magnet material. It isn't a finished magnet's pull-force rating and doesn't tell you its safe operating temperature.

Is N52 the strongest magnet available?

N52 is among the highest neodymium grades commonly available commercially, although higher grades such as N55 exist.

The highest grade isn't necessarily the best option. Temperature, size, availability and the requirements of the application all need to be considered. Samarium cobalt can be a better choice for some high-temperature applications, while electromagnets can produce much higher magnetic fields when powered.

How much stronger is N52 than N42?

Using the nominal figures in the material data above, N52 has about 21% more maximum energy product and about 10% higher remanence than N42.

Those percentages shouldn't be treated as a 21% or 10% increase in pull force. Pull force depends on the finished magnet's dimensions, shape, the steel it is working against and any gap between the magnet and its target.

What temperature can N52 magnets handle?

Published working temperature guidance for standard N52 varies by manufacturer. The sources cited above give figures of around 60°C to 80°C.

The practical limit can also depend on the magnet's shape and magnetic circuit. If your application runs hotter, ask about higher-coercivity grades such as H, SH or UH and check the manufacturer's specification for the selected material.

Are N52 magnets worth the extra cost?

They can be, particularly when you have a fixed space or weight limit and need as much magnetic performance as possible from that space.

If you can make the magnet larger or thicker, compare N52 with a lower grade first. A larger N42 or N40 magnet may meet the requirement without the N52 premium.

How do I know my N52 magnets are genuine?

You can't confirm the grade from the appearance of a magnet.

If the material grade matters, ask for a material certificate or batch-linked magnetic test data and find out how the supplier verifies the specification.

Testing a sample in your own assembly is also useful for checking whether the magnet performs as required, but that doesn't by itself verify the material grade.

Can N52 magnets be cut or drilled?

Not as a DIY modification. Neodymium magnets are brittle and can crack or break during machining. The resulting dust can be flammable, and heat from cutting or grinding can affect the magnet's properties.

If you need a particular hole, shape or size, it's better to order the magnet in that form or discuss specialist manufacturing with the supplier.

Buying N52 Magnets

Explore Jobmaster Magnets Canada’s N52 neodymium magnets when your application needs strong holding force from a compact magnet, such as a tight assembly, fixture or sensor housing where space is limited. If your design has room for a slightly larger magnet, it’s also worth comparing our N35, N40 and N42 options. A lower grade in a larger size can sometimes deliver the performance you need.

If your application calls for a specific size, coating or temperature requirement, you can also ask about custom magnet solutions.