How is the strength of magnets measured?

Gaussmeters are used to measure the magnetic field density at the surface of the magnet. This is referred to as the surface field and is measured in Gauss. Sometimes it is measured in Tesla. Pull Force Testers are used to test the holding force of a magnet that is in contact with a flat steel plate. • What is pull force and how is it measured? The force required to pull a magnet free from a flat steel plate using force perpendicular to the surface. • Does a pull force of 50 lbs. Mean that the magnet will hold a 50 lb. Object? Yes, 50 lbs would be the maximum weight the magnet can hold. Shear force would be about 18 lbs. • Is it possible to do anything to a magnet to make it stronger? In some applications it makes sense to focus the magnetic field into a more useful shape. This usually means reallocating flux density from an unused area to a used area (such as from the backside of the magnet to the topside). While this does not technically add any flux density to the overall magnetic ...  more