Neodymium global shortage
 

Hi all,

Part of my professional life involves me working with some magnetic products. The price of these products is going up across the market due to the sharp rise in the price of Neodymium (what motor rotors are made from). It's becoming less readily available thus the price is rising.

However Samarium-Cobalt is abundant and much cheaper than Neodymium. It's less magnetic, so motors are less punchy and run cooler, but all that means is that you can run a lower wind to compensate....

Is there anyone making a Samarium-cobalt equipped motor at the moment?

I know Novak do a "lite" motor, but it's still got Neo magnets.

The novak 'lite' just uses thinner wire on the stator AFAIK

I always understood that the motor would run hotter with a weaker / less magnetic rotor.

Back on topic Novak are offering already a Samarium Cobalt (SmCo)
Details are here: http://www.teamnovak.com/tech_info/S...al_article.pdf


http://msdmodels.ie/zencart/images/NE5954.jpg

I've had them in stock since April: http://msdmodels.ie/zencart/index.ph...roducts_id=571

Was using one at the Euros / Euros warm-up.

MiCk B. :-)

Hi Mick,
Thanks for the info.... however....
You may want to remove that post as Samarium-Cobalt isn't EFRA legal....:o

There was 6 runs of open practice in each class!!

When it counted the cars were race legal.

MiCk B. :-)

Why is there a shortage?

Good man Mick

Don't know whether it just because enough pockets of the element haven't been discovered and the existing ones are used up, or whether the cost of production doesn't make it worthwhile, or whether Samarium-Cobalt is favoured by industry?