Neodymium Cylinder Magnet – 12.7mm x 12.7mm | N38

The Neodymium Cylinder Magnet – 12.7mm x 12.7mm | N38 is a compact, high-performance rare earth permanent magnet measuring 12.7mm in diameter x 12.7mm long. Manufactured from N38 grade Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB), this cylindrical magnet provides strong magnetic performance relative to its size and is suitable for engineering, manufacturing, sensors, positioning systems, product assemblies, fixtures, research, prototypes and custom OEM applications.

Measuring approximately 1/2 inch in diameter x 1/2 inch long, this magnet has equal diameter and length dimensions, creating a balanced cylindrical profile. Its compact shape makes it suitable for integration into appropriately sized circular recesses, housings, mechanical components and magnetic assemblies where space-efficient permanent magnetism is required.

Also known as an N38 neodymium cylinder magnet, rare earth cylinder magnet, NdFeB cylinder magnet, 1/2 inch cylinder magnet or cylindrical rare earth magnet, this permanent magnetic component operates continuously without electricity, batteries or charging.

Key Features

• Diameter: 12.7mm / 1/2 inch
• Length: 12.7mm / 1/2 inch
• Shape: Cylinder
• Material: Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB)
• Magnetic grade: N38
• Magnet type: Rare earth permanent magnet
• Equal 12.7mm diameter and 12.7mm length
• Compact cylindrical geometry
• Strong magnetic performance relative to size
• Suitable for engineering and manufacturing
• Useful for positioning and alignment
• Suitable for sensors and instrumentation
• Useful for fixtures and jigs
• Suitable for mechanical and product assemblies
• Useful for research and prototype development
• Suitable for custom OEM magnetic assemblies
• Permanent magnetic operation
• No electricity, batteries or charging required

Common Applications

• Engineering
• Manufacturing
• Industrial equipment
• Product assemblies
• Mechanical components
• Component positioning
• Magnetic alignment
• Fixtures and jigs
• Sensors and instrumentation
• Hall-effect sensing
• Reed switch activation
• Position detection
• Proximity sensing
• Magnetic switching
• Research and development
• Laboratory equipment
• Prototype devices
• Custom OEM products

12.7mm Diameter x 12.7mm Long Cylinder Magnet

This N38 neodymium cylinder magnet measures:

• 12.7mm diameter
• 12.7mm length

These dimensions correspond to approximately:

• 1/2 inch diameter
• 1/2 inch length

Because the diameter and length are equal, this magnet has a balanced cylindrical form that can be useful for installation into appropriately designed round recesses and housings.

Potential applications include:

• Circular mounting recesses
• Equipment housings
• Mechanical components
• Sensor assemblies
• Positioning mechanisms
• Fixtures
• Prototype equipment
• Custom magnetic systems

The stated dimensions describe the magnet's physical geometry and do not represent its pull force, holding capacity or safe working load.

N38 Grade Neodymium Magnet

This cylinder magnet is manufactured from N38 grade Neodymium Iron Boron.

N38 is a widely used neodymium magnetic grade that provides strong permanent magnetic properties within relatively compact dimensions.

N38 neodymium magnets can be useful where:

• Strong magnetic performance is required
• Available installation space is limited
• A compact cylindrical magnet is preferred
• Permanent magnetic operation is required
• Higher magnetic performance than similarly sized ferrite magnets is desirable

The N38 designation identifies the magnetic material grade. It does not indicate a 38kg pull force.

What Does N38 Mean?

The N38 grade describes the properties of the Neodymium Iron Boron magnetic material.

The numerical designation relates to the material's maximum energy product and is used to classify different grades of neodymium magnets.

When comparing magnets with identical dimensions, geometry and magnetisation configurations, different neodymium grades can provide different levels of magnetic performance.

N38 does not directly specify:

• Pull force
• Surface Gauss
• Holding capacity
• Safe working load
• Magnetisation direction
• Pole orientation

These characteristics depend on the finished magnet and the magnetic circuit in which it operates.

Neodymium Iron Boron Rare Earth Material

Neodymium Iron Boron is a high-performance rare earth permanent magnetic material commonly used where substantial magnetic properties are required from compact dimensions.

NdFeB magnets are widely incorporated into:

• Engineered products
• Industrial equipment
• Sensors
• Positioning systems
• Machinery
• Fixtures
• Electronics
• Custom magnetic assemblies

Potential magnetic functions include:

• Attraction
• Holding
• Positioning
• Alignment
• Sensing
• Switching
• Product integration

Cylindrical Geometry

The cylinder shape is useful for applications where a magnet needs to fit into a round housing, drilled recess or mechanical component.

Potential installation locations include:

• Circular recesses
• Tubes
• Equipment housings
• Sensor bodies
• Mechanical components
• Product assemblies

Where the magnet is installed into a recess, appropriate dimensional clearance should be provided.

Do not force-fit the magnet into an undersized hole, as neodymium is brittle and can crack or chip under excessive mechanical pressure.

Sensors and Instrumentation

N38 neodymium cylinder magnets can be incorporated into magnetic sensing systems where their field configuration is compatible with the selected sensor.

Potential applications include:

• Hall-effect sensors
• Reed switches
• Position sensors
• Proximity detection
• Magnetic switching
• Equipment monitoring
• Instrumentation

Sensor performance depends on:

• Magnetisation direction
• Pole orientation
• Magnet-to-sensor distance
• Sensor sensitivity
• Installation geometry
• Surrounding magnetic materials

The magnetisation configuration has not been supplied and should be confirmed where magnetic field direction is critical.

Positioning and Alignment

This compact cylinder magnet can also be used in appropriately designed magnetic positioning and alignment systems.

Potential functions include:

• Component locating
• Repeatable positioning
• Magnetic alignment
• Assembly assistance
• Fixture positioning
• Prototype mechanisms

Where multiple magnets are used together, confirm their polarity and orientation before permanent installation.

Fixtures and Jigs

N38 neodymium cylinder magnets can be incorporated into fixtures and jigs for manufacturing, assembly and inspection tasks.

Potential applications include:

• Temporary component positioning
• Locating parts
• Assembly aids
• Inspection fixtures
• Repeatable alignment
• Prototype tooling

Magnetic attraction should not replace appropriate mechanical clamping where movement or detachment could create a safety hazard.

Magnetisation Direction

Cylinder magnets can be manufactured with different magnetisation configurations.

A 12.7mm diameter x 12.7mm long cylinder magnet could potentially be:

• Axially magnetised along its 12.7mm length
• Diametrically magnetised across its 12.7mm diameter
• Manufactured with another specialised pole configuration

The actual magnetisation direction and pole configuration have not been supplied and should not be assumed from the cylindrical shape.

Confirm this specification where pole location or magnetic field direction is important.

Magnetic Performance

Although this magnet is confirmed as N38 grade, practical magnetic performance depends on multiple factors.

These include:

• N38 material properties
• Magnetisation direction
• Pole configuration
• Magnetic circuit design
• Target steel composition
• Target steel thickness
• Available contact area
• Surface condition
• Air gaps
• Load direction
• Mechanical leverage

No specific pull force or magnetic flux density in Gauss has been supplied.

These values should not be estimated from the N38 designation or 12.7mm x 12.7mm dimensions alone.

N38 Does Not Mean 38kg Pull Force

The N38 designation does not mean this magnet has a 38kg pull force.

N38 identifies the grade of the magnetic material.

Pull force is a separate performance measurement affected by:

• Magnet dimensions
• Magnetisation direction
• Target material
• Target steel thickness
• Contact area
• Air gaps
• Test configuration

A verified pull-force specification should be used where magnetic holding capacity is important.

Direct Pull vs Shear Force

Where this magnet is used against compatible ferromagnetic steel, holding performance varies according to load direction.

Direct pull occurs when the magnet is separated perpendicular to the target surface.

Shear loading occurs when the magnet is encouraged to slide parallel to the target.

Shear performance can be affected by:

• Surface friction
• Contact quality
• Paint and coatings
• Installation orientation
• Air gaps
• Mechanical leverage
• Vibration

Test the completed assembly under realistic conditions where magnetic holding is important.

Air Gaps and Magnetic Attraction

Air gaps can significantly reduce the practical magnetic attraction of neodymium magnets.

Potential sources of separation include:

• Paint
• Powder coating
• Adhesive
• Plastic
• Protective films
• Product housings
• Dirt
• Rust
• Mechanical clearance

For maximum practical attraction, unnecessary separation between the magnet and target should generally be minimised.

Target Steel Thickness

Where the magnet operates against ferromagnetic steel, the target material forms part of the magnetic system.

Performance can be influenced by:

• Steel composition
• Steel thickness
• Target dimensions
• Contact area
• Surface condition
• Magnetic saturation

Thin steel may not provide the same magnetic response as a suitably thick ferromagnetic target.

Testing against the actual target material is recommended for performance-critical applications.

Bonding a Neodymium Cylinder Magnet

This N38 cylinder magnet can be bonded into an appropriately designed housing or recess.

Before bonding:

• Confirm the required magnetic orientation
• Confirm polarity where multiple magnets are used
• Clean both bonding surfaces
• Remove grease, dust and contamination
• Select an adhesive compatible with the magnet's actual surface finish
• Provide suitable dimensional clearance
• Avoid force-fitting
• Allow the adhesive to cure according to its instructions

The specific coating or plating has not been supplied, so adhesive compatibility with the actual magnet surface should be confirmed.

Avoid Force-Fitting

Neodymium Iron Boron is hard but brittle.

Do not force this 12.7mm cylinder magnet into an undersized hole or recess.

Excessive mechanical pressure may cause:

• Chipping
• Cracking
• Splitting
• Fracturing
• Damage to the surface finish

Provide suitable mechanical clearance and use an appropriate bonding or retention method.

Do Not Machine Neodymium Magnets

Finished neodymium magnets should not be modified using conventional workshop methods.

Avoid:

• Drilling
• Cutting
• Grinding
• Crushing
• Machining

These processes can damage the brittle NdFeB magnetic material and any protective surface coating.

If another diameter or length is required, select a magnet manufactured to the appropriate dimensions.

Compatible Target Materials

Neodymium magnets attract suitable ferromagnetic materials, including:

• Mild steel
• Iron
• Magnetic steel
• Compatible ferromagnetic components

They will not effectively attract inherently non-magnetic materials such as:

• Aluminium
• Copper
• Brass
• Plastic
• Timber
• Glass

Many stainless steel grades may also be weakly magnetic or non-magnetic and should be tested before relying on magnetic attraction.

N38 Neodymium vs Ferrite Cylinder Magnets

N38 neodymium and ferrite magnets provide different magnetic characteristics.

N38 neodymium cylinder magnets generally provide:

• Higher magnetic performance relative to size
• Strong magnetic properties from compact dimensions
• Advantages in space-restricted applications
• Suitability for sensors and engineered assemblies

Ferrite magnets generally provide:

• Lower cost
• Good natural corrosion resistance
• Good resistance to demagnetisation
• Suitability where larger magnet dimensions are acceptable

N38 neodymium is commonly selected where strong magnetic performance from a compact cylindrical permanent magnet is required.

Permanent Magnetic Operation

This N38 neodymium cylinder is a permanent magnet.

It requires:

• No electricity
• No batteries
• No charging
• No external power supply

Its magnetic field remains continuously active during normal use.

Technical Specifications

• Product Type: Neodymium Cylinder Magnet
• Alternative Names: N38 Neodymium Cylinder Magnet, Rare Earth Cylinder Magnet, NdFeB Cylinder Magnet, Cylindrical Rare Earth Magnet, 1/2 Inch Neodymium Cylinder Magnet
• Diameter: 12.7mm / 1/2 inch
• Length: 12.7mm / 1/2 inch
• Shape: Cylinder
• Magnetic Material: Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB)
• Magnetic Grade: N38
• Magnet Type: Rare Earth Permanent Magnet
• Magnetic Operation: Permanent
• Power Required: None
• Compatible Targets: Suitable ferromagnetic iron and steel
• Primary Functions: Magnetic attraction, positioning, alignment, sensing and product integration
• Typical Applications: Engineering, manufacturing, sensors, fixtures, product assemblies, machinery, research, prototypes and OEM products

Safety and Handling

Neodymium magnets can attract other magnets and nearby ferromagnetic objects suddenly and should be handled carefully.

Potential hazards include:

• Pinched skin or fingers
• Magnet collisions
• Chipping
• Cracking
• Fragmentation

Neodymium is brittle despite its strong magnetic properties. Avoid uncontrolled collisions and excessive mechanical pressure.

Serious Ingestion Hazard

Neodymium magnets can present a serious ingestion hazard.

If multiple magnets are swallowed, or a magnet is swallowed together with another magnetic or metallic object, they can attract through internal tissue and cause severe injury.

Keep magnets securely away from babies and children. Where magnets are incorporated into another product, they should be securely retained so they cannot become loose or accessible.

Seek urgent medical attention if magnet ingestion is suspected.

Permanent magnets should also be kept an appropriate distance from pacemakers, implanted medical devices, magnetic storage media, magnetic cards and sensitive electronic equipment.

Please Note

This product is an N38 Neodymium Cylinder Magnet measuring 12.7mm in diameter x 12.7mm long (approximately 1/2 inch x 1/2 inch), manufactured from Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) rare earth magnetic material.

The N38 designation identifies the magnetic material grade and does not mean the magnet has a 38kg pull force.

No specific pull force, Gauss rating, coating or plating, magnetisation direction, pole configuration, dimensional tolerance or maximum operating temperature has been supplied and these specifications should not be assumed.

Actual magnetic performance depends on the N38 material properties, magnetisation configuration, magnetic circuit, target material, target steel thickness, available contact area, surface condition, air gaps, load direction and installation geometry.

Neodymium is a hard and brittle magnetic material. Avoid impact, force-fitting, drilling, cutting, grinding or machining.

The stated 12.7mm diameter x 12.7mm length describes the physical geometry of the magnet and does not represent its pull force, holding capacity or safe working load.

This magnet is not certified lifting equipment and should not be used for overhead or safety-critical lifting.