What does the term maximum energy product (BHmax) mean?
The maximum energy product of a magnet is measured in 'mega gauss oersteds' (MGOe). Known as the maximum energy product value, it is the primary indicator of a magnet's "strength." In general, the higher the maximum energy product value, the greater the magnetic field the magnet produces in a given application. In neodymium grading, the two numbers in a grade name (for example N42) represent the maximum energy product for that grade. The higher the value, the greater the magnetic field strength the magnet exerts in a given application, and the smaller the magnet volume required.
(BH)max is the product of remanence (Br) and coercive field strength (Hc) and represents the area under the second quadrant hysteresis loop diagram.
Every neodymium magnet has an associated maximum energy product, which is shown on the "Neodymium Magnet Grades" page of the technology center.
