Effect of polymer matrices on magnetic properties of plastic magnets

Abstract

Plastic magnets were prepared using commercial polyamide (Nylon 12), polystyrene and ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer, and three kinds of ferrite magnetic powders with different concentration levels (20, 35 and 50 vol%). Their magnetic properties and thermal stability are discussed comparing viscoelasticity and thermal properties of the polymers and plastic magnets. Magnetic properties of the anisotropic plastic magnets were largely dependent on the concentration of the magnetic powder and its degree of orientation in the matrix. The degree of the orientation was mainly affected by the interaction between polymer matrix and magnetic powder, and viscoelastic property of the matrix polymer. It was also affected to some extent by the shape of the magnetic particles. The order of the interaction of the polymers to the magnetic powders was as follows: PA > EVA copolymer > PS, and PA-bonded magnets gave the highest magnetic properties among the matrices examined. The decrease in magnetic properties due to the change in the orientation of magnetic powder rarely occurred during thermal treatment.