Which disc magnet will you choose? Per application
Which disc magnet is right for your job? An overview by application, from model making and jewelry to cabinet doors, displays, and mechanical engineering, including size advice and the limits of each size.
Choose the right disc magnet based on the application, not the number in the product name. Below you will find out which size is suitable for each application, when a magnet is too small, and what to pay attention to. All disc magnets are made of neodymium. Want to calculate how much holding force you need? Use the calculator further down or the Magnet Advisor.
Quick selection by application
| Application | Usually suitable for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Model making and dioramas (removable roofs, shutters, miniatures) | Ø2 to Ø6 mm | Ø2 x 2 mm, Ø6 x 2 mm |
| Closures in jewelry and small boxes | Ø3 to Ø10 mm | Ø5 x 3 mm |
| Cabinet doors, shutters and panels (furniture making, motorhomes, caravans) | Ø10 to Ø25 mm | Ø10 x 3 mm, Ø20 x 5 mm |
| Displays, exhibition stands and interior construction | Ø10 to Ø25 mm, often self-adhesive | Ø10 x 1 mm self-adhesive |
| Machine building: inspection panels, maintenance shutters, covers | Ø30 mm and larger | Ø30 x 10 mm, Ø40 x 20 mm |
| Screw-in mounting (countersunk hole) | Ø60 mm and larger | Ø60 x 25 mm with hole |
This is a guideline. Always test with one or two magnets before ordering or installing a large batch.
Calculate how much holding force you need
Enter the weight, the number of disc magnets and the substrate. The calculator shows the minimum holding force required per magnet and displays suitable disc magnets from our range. It is a guideline: always test with one or two magnets.
Small (Ø2 to Ø6 mm): precision and small parts
Small disc magnets hold between tens and hundreds of grams (for example, Ø5 x 3 mm: approx. 910 g). They are intended for light parts: a removable roof on a model house, a shutter, a small closure. They are too small for anything that needs to support a weight or that is frequently pulled.
Jewelry
A small disc magnet can serve as a closure in a bracelet or necklace. Please note: our disc magnets have a NiCuNi coating (nickel-copper-nickel) and the outer layer contains nickel. This is not suitable if the magnet lies against the skin for an extended period, especially for those with a nickel allergy. Therefore, conceal the magnet in the jewelry, for example in a housing or setting, so that the skin does not come into contact with it.
Medium (Ø8 to Ø25 mm): doors, panels and displays
This group offers the widest selection, from approx. 600 g to 23 kg of holding force (Ø10 x 3 mm: approx. 2.1 kg, Ø20 x 5 mm: approx. 7.4 kg). They are used for removable cabinet doors, panels in motorhomes and caravans, and in displays and interior construction, where an invisible, quickly removable fastening is desired. Apply self-adhesive versions to a flat surface. A magnet of this size is too small for a heavy door or a large panel; use multiple magnets or a larger size instead.
Large (Ø30 mm and larger): machine building and heavy panels
From Ø30 mm, holding forces range from tens of kilos (Ø30 x 10 mm: approx. 22 kg, Ø40 x 20 mm: approx. 49 kg). These sizes are used in machine building for inspection panels, maintenance shutters and machine covers, and in warehousing and logistics. Screw in versions with a countersunk hole. Large magnets can strike each other or metal hard: keep your fingers away and use them with gloves.
What to pay attention to
- The holding force is a laboratory value. It is measured on a flat, thick steel plate. In practice, the actual force is lower, especially with a thin, uneven or coated surface, or if there is an air gap. Read how holding force is determined. As a rule of thumb, calculate with significantly less than the stated value and test.
- Quality (N35, N48, etc.). A higher number means a stronger magnet of the same size. Read what N35, N42, N48 and N52 mean.
- Temperature. Our disc magnets are suitable up to 80 °C. Above this temperature, the magnet may permanently lose strength.
- Dry indoor use. NiCuNi-coated magnets are best suited for dry indoor spaces. For damp conditions, there is an epoxy version, for example for steel doors (read more).
- Safety. Magnets are not toys and should be kept out of reach of children. Keep strong magnets away from pacemakers, electronics and bank cards.
