How Long Will My Magnet Last?
Your permanent magnet should lose no more than 1% of its magnetic strength over a period of 100 years provided it is specified and cared for properly. There are a few things that may cause your magnet to lose its strength:
HEAT:
Heat above the maximum level rated for the magnet material in your separator will decrease the strength of the magnet. Standard rare earth material from MPI has a maximum temperature of 176°F and standard ceramic material has a maximum temperature of 400°F. Higher temperature materials are available and may have been used in your system. Consult the factory if you have questions on what the maximum temperature is for your system.
IMPACT
Sharp impacts to the magnet from physical abuse or handling can result in the decreased magnet strength. The magnet material inside your separator is brittle and these impacts can lead to fractures in the material, weakening its strength.
WELDING
Welding on or around the magnet can lead to decreased magnet performance. This can be a result of the heat or current generated from the welding process.
LIQUID INGRESS
If your magnet housing is compromised, moisture can enter the housing of the magnets. This can lead to oxidation of the magnet material which will eventually lead to a weakened magnetic system. If the housing is compromised, the magnet should also be replaced for sanitary concerns.
Closing Words
At American Scale we strive to bring you informed and useful content on all things scale related. Be sure to check out our legal for trade truck scale system articles about truck scale foundation or how much do truck scales cost. We even have a guide to warranties. We also have articles on scale accessories, common problems to prolong your scales lifespan, weighing applications as well as what scale indicator works best with your junction box. To learn more about bench scales, it would be good to check out our other articles such as “Bench Scale Basics'' and “How Much Does A Bench Scale Cost?”. These articles will help with the basics of bench scale ownership.