ferromagnets

Strongly magnetizable metals

Ferromagnets are materials that can be magnetized and retain their magnetism—iron, nickel, cobalt, and their alloys.

The atoms in these materials align their magnetic fields in the same direction, creating a permanent magnet.

Ferromagnets are used in electric motors, hard drives, and refrigerator magnets.

The adjective is ferromagnetic.

materials

iron

Element twenty-six

nickelElement twenty-eight, or coin
cobaltElement twenty-seven
steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy

magnetite · alnico · gadolinium · neodymium · lodestone · cast iron · soft iron

physics

domains

Areas of control or expertise

hysteresisHistory-dependent system response
saturationState of complete permeation
remanenceResidual magnetization after demagnetizing

susceptibility · permeability · exchange interaction · anisotropy · demagnetization

applications

electromagnets

Electrically activated magnetic devices

transformersVoltage-altering electrical devices
motorsMachines that produce motion
generatorsDevices converting motion to electricity

hard drives · inductors · relays · solenoids · loudspeakers · MRI machines · actuators · chokes

properties

eddy currents

Induced loops in conductors

Categories

magnetic materialsiron, nickel, cobalt, magnetite, alnico
materialsmetal, metals, wood, ceramic, fabric
electricityelectricity, battery, batteries, wire, wires
electromagnetismelectromagnetism, electricity, magnets, electromagnets, electromagnet
Dielectricsmica, polyethylene, permittivity, polystyrene, Teflon

Opposites

magnetic response to external fields

ferromagnetssuperconductors

Zero-resistance current carriers

bismuth · copper · water

Family

ferromagnetic, ferromagnetism, ferromagnet

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G