Home Propeller Head Plaza  Technical and scientific discussion
of amps, cables and other topics.  Rare Earth Magnets  Many
people know that CHINA is the worlds #1 source for the rare
earths used in many applications including the worlds strongest
magnets.  Well, China restricts exports and thereby not only
keeps the price UP, but makes less expensive uses non-starters.
I saw on the news / sci channel or discovery or history last
nite that a large, open pit mine has been opened in the good ole
USA. This is good and will make us somewhat less dependent on
the Chinese.  Rare Earths are neat. Each in that
series.....Elements 57->71 are not only difficult to tell apart,
but have very similar chemical properties. They ALL have 2
electrons in the outer 'binding' shell. Additional electrons are
added to vacancies on lower shells, as you go up in atomic
number.  One thing I didn't know what that Neodymium is only
PART of the magnet to which it gives its name. The majority is
good old Iron with a trace of Boron. Both