Can You Weld Magnets? Or Would It Ruin Them?


Can You Weld Magnets

Although the traditional way of welding comes with two main ways, which are gas metal arc welding, and arc welding. Of course, there are many other ways to approach this, one of which is through a magnet. Like any other substitute process, this has some risks and rewards, and we will get through those in this article.

Can you weld magnets? Or would it ruin them? It is not advisable, whatsoever, to be welding magnets together. However, with a safe procedure, it can be done.

In this article, I will cover how welding magnets can occur, as well as the risks in doing so and its ineffectiveness. I will also talk about welding magnets as a tool, which can be used in welding.

Can You Weld Magnets To Steel?

Welding magnets to steel is possible, but it requires some special considerations. Magnets can become demagnetized if they are exposed to excessive heat during welding, so it’s essential to use low-heat techniques such as tack welding or brazing.

Additionally, you will need to ensure that the magnets are properly positioned and secured during the welding process to prevent any movement or displacement.

It’s also important to note that welding magnets to steel can be challenging due to the magnetic properties of the materials involved, so it may require some expertise and experience to achieve a successful result.

Can You weld Magnets Together?

Magnets can be welded together, but it requires special considerations. Welding magnets to each other can be challenging because of their magnetic properties. One of the main challenges is proper positioning and securing of the magnets to ensure they do not move during the welding process.

Additionally, low-heat welding techniques may be necessary to prevent the magnets from losing their magnetism. It is important to note that welding magnets to other materials, such as steel, also requires special considerations and low-heat techniques to avoid damaging the magnets.

Can You Stick Weld Magnets?

Stick welding magnets directly is not recommended due to the high temperatures involved, which may harm the magnets. However, low-heat techniques and proper positioning can be used to weld neodymium magnets to steel or other magnets.

Can You Weld Neodymium Magnets?

Welding neodymium magnets directly is not recommended due to the high temperatures involved in the process. The heat can harm the magnets and cause them to lose their magnetic properties. However, it is possible to weld magnets to steel or together using low-heat techniques and proper positioning to prevent demagnetization.

It’s important to note that neodymium magnets don’t react well to drilling, welding, or soldering. One way to create a conductive connection to a neodymium magnet is to solder the wires to a ferrous metal disc and then attach the disc to the magnet using epoxy.

Alternatively, you could use a spring clip or a gold-plated spring-loaded pin, solder end caps from 5AG or 3AG fuses to the wires and push them onto the magnet, or use shrink tubing or a battery holder to hold the magnet.

Can You Weld Rare Earth Magnets?

Yes, it is possible to weld rare earth magnets, including neodymium magnets, but it requires special considerations due to their magnetic properties.

Why Not Weld with Magnets

The main reason why we should not be welding with magnets is that it would essentially ruin them. With the amount of heat that it can handle, it won’t be able to contain its structure.

If you do weld a magnet together, most likely, it will burn up and be of no use to you after it is done. There is a reason and science behind this, of course.

The first part is the arc creating its own magnetic field. With an overabundance of heat, that would not be good for the magnet at all. With the amount of heat that it takes to weld a magnet together, it will pretty much disturb the magnetic domains. When the atoms speed up in this field, the field will decrease its cohesion. In turn, the magnet will be rendered useless if the atoms are too fast to not be able to act in a cohesive manner.

In some cases, however, cold temperatures can actually strengthen a magnet. This will stabilize the magnetic field, making the magnet you are welding stronger. However, using cold temperatures in welding is almost, if not, impossible to do.

Another aspect to consider is the material that the magnet is made out of. Oftentimes, the magnets are made from rare earth metals, which are not like iron or steel.

Alnico magnets have the best strength to increase their resistance, followed by SmCo, NdFeB, and Ceramic. The NdFeb magnets have the highest resistance but are very sensitive to high temperatures.

Alnico magnets, on the other hand, would be best suited for the project since it has a low resistance, and even the highest temperatures will make minimal differences, relatively speaking.

Adjusting Approach with Welding Magnets

Although it is highly advisable to not have magnets welded together, you can obviously adjust some parts of the process to your advantage and safety. One of the ways to do this is to use ceramic magnets.

They are also known as “ferrite” agents and are made of iron oxide and strontium carbonate which make it much more suitable at higher temperatures. Further, they are very corrosion-resistant and easy to magnetize. Usually, these ceramic magnets are a popular choice amongst a wide range of consumers.

They also come in a different range of forms, including ceramic discs, rings, and round cups, as well as block magnets. Out of all the forms, you want to make this the easiest and least harmful as possible.

Opt-in for the block magnets since they are easy to weld in comparison to the circular forms. Further, you can even mount the ceramic magnet over a conveyor.

You can also use AC, or alternating current, in the magnet to make it more weldable. First off, you want to make sure that the material of the magnet is suitable, like the ceramic.

Otherwise, do not weld any type of magnets together. Then, wrap the earth lead around the work to reduce the effect of arc straying. This way, the magnet would keep intact its most valuable aspect with as minimal damage as possible.

Using Magnets as a Tool in Welding

On the other hand, you can use magnets as a separate tool in welding. I have seen multiple applications of this, and mainly the magnet being used as a placeholder in welding applications.

Regularly, in welding, we would hold down the piece of metal(s) we are working with, and use one of two methods, either MIG, TIG, or even Stick. However, it may be a little hard, especially for beginners, to be using their hands to hold the multiple pieces they have in place. One of the ways to self-assist is to use a block ceramic magnet.

So, rather than putting the two welding pieces of metal together, place the magnet horizontally on the pieces you are trying to weld together.

For example, if you are welding a metal sheet and a rectangular rod, place the magnet against the rod. Make sure that when you do this, it is at the center. Then, you can weld the pieces together as you normally would. Avoid the magnetic piece as much as possible.

Then, once most of it is completed, remove the magnet manually. Then, the area in which the magnet was, you should continue to weld if you wish for a stronger hold. However, there are also welding magnets that are available and easier to use than conventional magnets.

DIY-> How To Easily Make Your Welding Magnet Clamp at Home >> Check Out the video below

Using Welding Magnets

Welding magnets are a different kind of magnet that you could use as a welding tool. In particular, you should be looking for welding clamp magnets. These hold together pieces of ferromagnetic material for tack welding. Tack welding is essentially when small welds are used to align a piece of metal before the final stages.

These welding magnets available are extremely strong and can be a great tool in the welding process.

They can stick to all metal surfaces, but more importantly, they are highly adjustable. For example, they can hold together pieces at 45-degree angles and even 90-degree angles. Sometimes, it can even hold angles at over 100 degrees.

Using a welding magnet allows you to hold things in place with being hands-free, allowing for a more safe and secure process. Remember that using welding magnets, a very specific tool, is different from welding two actual agents together.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Welding Magnets >> Check Out the video below

Final Thoughts

The process in which you would use them is pretty simple, but it is nonetheless important to understand for safety reasons. Essentially, you would take the two workpieces you have and let the magnet hold them together at the angle you want.

For example, if you want a rod to be at a 45-degree angle relative to the metal sheet, this is the angle you would place it in using the magnet. This way, with your hands-free, your weld becomes straighter, and you have more safety.

Second, if the metal is ferromagnetic, you can use the magnets by laying them horizontally and lining up the crosspiece. If the magnet comes with a switch, turn it on as soon as you can. With everything in position via the magnet, weld them together.

There are obviously many types of welding magnets, and all serve a different purpose. A welding magnet with a switch means that you can control the magnetism by turning it on at will. This, in turn, leads to less worry about the magnet sticking to the workbench or attracting any other unwanted tools.

A multi-angle welding magnet can hold pieces at 45, 90, and 135-degree angles. Through this, they are versatile and ideal for assembling, soldering, welding, and installation.

David Harper

David is the Co-Founder and Senior Editor at weldingtroop.com. David's an experienced fitter and tuner/welder who's passionate about helping others develop in life through new skills and opportunities.

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