Neodymium Disc Magnet – 12mm x 5mm

The Neodymium Disc Magnet – 12mm x 5mm is a compact rare earth permanent magnet measuring 12mm in diameter x 5mm thick. Manufactured from Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB), this round magnet provides high magnetic performance relative to its small physical size, making it suitable for industrial, engineering, manufacturing, craft and custom product applications.

Its compact 12mm circular footprint and 5mm thickness make this neodymium magnet useful for magnetic closures, holding and positioning, sensors, displays, furniture, fixtures, prototypes and OEM assemblies where a small permanent magnet is required. The disc shape is also convenient for installation into appropriately sized circular recesses or housings.

Also known as a 12mm neodymium magnet, rare earth disc magnet, NdFeB disc magnet, round neodymium magnet, 12mm x 5mm magnet or rare earth button magnet, this permanent magnetic component operates continuously without electricity, batteries or charging.

Key Features

• Diameter: 12mm
• Thickness: 5mm
• Compact disc-shaped permanent magnet
• Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB)
• Rare earth magnetic material
• High magnetic performance relative to size
• Suitable for compact product assemblies
• Suitable for magnetic holding and positioning
• Useful for closures, sensors and displays
• Circular profile suitable for compatible recesses and housings
• Permanent magnetic operation
• No electricity or batteries required
• Suitable for industrial, commercial, craft and OEM applications

Common Applications

• Magnetic closures
• Product assemblies
• Holding and positioning
• Fixtures and jigs
• Furniture and cabinetry
• Displays and signage
• Sensors and switches
• Electronics
• Instrumentation
• Models and miniatures
• Craft and DIY projects
• Packaging
• Prototypes
• Research and development
• Custom magnetic assemblies
• OEM products

12mm Diameter x 5mm Thick Disc Magnet

This neodymium magnet measures 12mm in diameter and 5mm thick, providing a compact cylindrical disc profile.

The 12mm diameter allows the magnet to fit into relatively small assemblies, while the 5mm thickness provides a more substantial profile than very thin magnetic discs.

Potential installation locations include:

• Circular recesses
• Plastic housings
• Timber components
• Metal assemblies
• Furniture components
• Product enclosures
• Custom fabricated parts
• Prototype assemblies

Where the magnet is installed into a recess, sufficient clearance should be provided to avoid force-fitting the brittle neodymium material.

Neodymium Iron Boron Rare Earth Magnet

This disc magnet is manufactured from Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB), one of the highest-performing commercially available permanent magnetic materials relative to its size.

Neodymium magnets are widely used where compact dimensions and strong magnetic performance are important.

Typical advantages include:

• High magnetic performance relative to physical size
• Compact permanent magnetic design
• Suitability for space-restricted assemblies
• No electrical power requirement
• Broad industrial and commercial applications

The specific neodymium grade has not been supplied, so a grade such as N35, N42, N45, N50 or N52 should not be assumed.

Magnetic Closures

Compact neodymium disc magnets are commonly incorporated into magnetic closure systems.

Potential applications include:

• Cabinet doors
• Boxes
• Cases
• Packaging
• Display products
• Removable covers
• Access panels
• Furniture components

Depending on the design, the magnet may attract either another appropriately oriented magnet or a compatible ferromagnetic steel target.

For magnet-to-magnet closure systems, polarity and magnetisation orientation should be verified before permanent installation.

Furniture and Cabinetry

The compact 12mm diameter makes this magnet suitable for integration into furniture and cabinetry where a discreet magnetic component is required.

Potential uses include:

• Cabinet closures
• Removable panels
• Concealed catches
• Furniture accessories
• Display cabinets
• Decorative components

When recessing a magnet into timber or another substrate, avoid hammering or force-fitting the magnet into place.

Sensors, Switches and Instrumentation

Neodymium disc magnets are also commonly used as magnetic targets or actuators within sensor and switching systems.

Potential applications include:

• Reed switches
• Magnetic sensors
• Position detection
• Proximity detection
• Instrumentation
• Automation
• Electronic prototypes

The magnetisation direction has not been supplied for this product. For sensor applications, confirm the required pole orientation and magnetic field geometry before selecting or installing the magnet.

Holding and Positioning

This 12mm x 5mm neodymium disc can also be incorporated into small holding and positioning systems.

Potential applications include:

• Fixtures
• Jigs
• Product positioning
• Removable components
• Display assemblies
• Prototype equipment
• Custom tools

Actual holding performance depends on the complete magnetic circuit and installation conditions.

Magnetic Performance

The practical magnetic holding force of a neodymium disc magnet depends on factors including:

• Neodymium grade
• Magnetisation direction
• Target steel composition
• Target steel thickness
• Available contact area
• Surface flatness
• Air gaps
• Paint and coatings
• Rust and contamination
• Load direction
• Mechanical leverage

No specific pull force or magnetic flux density in Gauss has been supplied for this magnet and these values should not be inferred from its dimensions alone.

Direct Pull vs Shear Force

Magnetic holding performance changes according to the direction in which the load acts.

Direct pull occurs when the magnet is pulled perpendicular to the steel target.

Shear force occurs when the load acts parallel to the surface and encourages the magnet to slide.

A magnet used vertically may therefore support considerably less practical load than the same magnet under ideal direct-pull conditions.

Friction, surface finish, vibration and mechanical leverage can further affect performance.

Air Gaps Matter

Magnetic attraction decreases rapidly as the distance between a magnet and its target increases.

Even relatively small gaps caused by:

• Paint
• Adhesive
• Plastic
• Protective films
• Coatings
• Dirt
• Uneven surfaces

can reduce magnetic performance.

This is particularly important with compact magnets, where a small physical gap can represent a significant proportion of the magnet's dimensions.

For maximum practical magnetic performance, minimise unnecessary separation from the target surface.

Bonding Neodymium Disc Magnets

Where mechanical mounting is not available, this disc magnet may be bonded into a suitable recess or onto a compatible substrate using an adhesive selected for the materials and operating environment.

Before bonding:

• Ensure surfaces are clean and dry
• Remove grease, dust and contamination
• Confirm adhesive compatibility with both materials
• Allow sufficient clearance around the magnet
• Avoid force-fitting into undersized recesses
• Allow adhesive to cure according to its instructions

The specific coating or plating on this magnet has not been supplied, so adhesive compatibility should be confirmed before use.

Compatible Target Materials

Neodymium magnets strongly attract suitable ferromagnetic materials, including:

• Mild steel
• Iron
• Magnetic steel
• Suitable ferromagnetic components

They do not effectively attract materials such as:

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

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

Neodymium vs Ferrite Disc Magnets

Neodymium and ferrite are both permanent magnetic materials but have different characteristics.

Neodymium magnets are typically selected where:

• High magnetic performance relative to size is important
• Space is limited
• Compact magnetic assemblies are required

Ferrite magnets are generally:

• More economical
• Naturally resistant to corrosion
• Less magnetically powerful relative to their size
• Suitable for many general-purpose applications

For compact assemblies where physical size is a key design constraint, neodymium is often preferred.

Permanent Magnetic Operation

This 12mm x 5mm disc magnet is a permanent magnet.

It requires:

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

The magnetic field remains continuously active during normal use.

Technical Specifications

• Product Type: Neodymium Disc Magnet
• Alternative Names: Rare Earth Disc Magnet, NdFeB Disc Magnet, Round Neodymium Magnet, Rare Earth Button Magnet
• Diameter: 12mm
• Thickness: 5mm
• Shape: Disc / Round
• Magnetic Material: Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB)
• Magnet Type: Rare Earth Permanent Magnet
• Magnetic Operation: Permanent
• Power Required: None
• Target Materials: Compatible ferromagnetic iron and steel
• Primary Functions: Magnetic holding, positioning, sensing and closure
• Typical Applications: Closures, product assemblies, sensors, displays, furniture, fixtures, prototypes and OEM products

Handling Neodymium Magnets

Neodymium magnetic material is hard and brittle.

Avoid:

• Allowing magnets to collide uncontrolled
• Dropping magnets onto hard surfaces
• Drilling the magnet
• Cutting or machining the magnet
• Force-fitting into undersized recesses
• Applying unnecessary bending or impact forces

Neodymium magnets can chip, crack or break when subjected to impact. Broken fragments may have sharp edges.

Safety Information

This 12mm x 5mm neodymium magnet presents a serious ingestion hazard and must be kept securely away from babies and children.

If multiple magnets are swallowed, or a magnet is swallowed with another metal object, they can attract through internal tissue and cause severe or life-threatening injuries. Seek urgent medical attention if magnet ingestion is known or suspected.

Strong magnets should also be kept an appropriate distance from:

• Pacemakers
• Implanted medical devices
• Magnetic storage media
• Magnetic cards
• Sensitive electronic equipment

Handle magnets carefully to prevent uncontrolled attraction to other magnets or ferromagnetic objects.

Please Note

This product is a Neodymium Disc Magnet measuring 12mm in diameter x 5mm thick, manufactured from Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) rare earth magnetic material.

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

Actual magnetic performance depends on the magnetic grade and magnetisation, target steel composition and thickness, available contact area, air gaps, surface condition, load direction and overall magnetic circuit.

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