Neodymium Disc Magnet – 3mm x 1.5mm | N38

The Neodymium Disc Magnet – 3mm x 1.5mm | N38 is an ultra-compact rare earth permanent magnet measuring 3mm in diameter x 1.5mm thick. Manufactured from N38 grade Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB), this miniature round magnet provides high magnetic performance relative to its extremely small physical size, making it suitable for precision product assemblies, electronics, sensors, models, miniature components, magnetic closures, prototypes and custom OEM applications.

With a diameter of only 3mm and a thickness of 1.5mm, this N38 neodymium disc magnet can be integrated into very small circular recesses, housings and components where installation space is highly restricted.

Also known as a 3mm neodymium disc magnet, N38 rare earth magnet, miniature NdFeB magnet, small round neodymium magnet or micro disc magnet, this permanent magnetic component operates continuously without electricity, batteries or charging.

Key Features

• Diameter: 3mm
• Thickness: 1.5mm
• Magnetic material: Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB)
• Magnetic grade: N38
• Ultra-compact disc shape
• Rare earth permanent magnet
• High magnetic performance relative to size
• Suitable for miniature product assemblies
• Suitable for small circular recesses and housings
• Useful for sensors and instrumentation
• Suitable for miniature magnetic closures
• Useful for models and prototypes
• Permanent magnetic operation
• No electricity, batteries or charging required
• Suitable for precision and OEM applications

Common Applications

• Miniature product assemblies
• Electronics
• Engineering
• Manufacturing
• Sensors and instrumentation
• Position detection
• Proximity sensing
• Small magnetic closures
• Models and miniatures
• Precision equipment
• Displays
• Research and development
• Laboratory equipment
• Prototype devices
• Custom magnetic assemblies
• OEM products

3mm Diameter x 1.5mm Thick Neodymium Magnet

This miniature neodymium magnet measures just 3mm in diameter x 1.5mm thick, giving it a very small, low-profile circular form.

Its compact dimensions can make it useful for integration into:

• Miniature circular recesses
• Small product housings
• Electronic assemblies
• Sensors
• Models
• Precision components
• Magnetic closures
• Prototype devices

Where installed into a recess, provide appropriate dimensional clearance and avoid force-fitting the brittle neodymium magnetic material.

N38 Grade Neodymium Iron Boron

This magnet is manufactured from N38 grade Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB).

N38 is a neodymium magnetic grade used in permanent magnet applications where strong magnetic properties are required from compact dimensions.

The grade designation is an important material specification, but it should not be interpreted as a direct statement of the finished magnet's:

• Pull force
• Holding capacity
• Gauss reading
• Safe working load

The practical performance of the finished 3mm x 1.5mm magnet depends on its geometry, magnetisation, magnetic circuit and application conditions in addition to its N38 material grade.

Miniature Product Assemblies

The extremely compact dimensions of this magnet make it suitable for appropriately designed miniature products and components.

Potential applications include:

• Small enclosures
• Removable components
• Miniature catches
• Precision mechanisms
• Models
• Instruments
• Electronic devices
• Prototype products

Depending on the design, the magnet may attract suitable ferromagnetic steel or another appropriately oriented permanent magnet.

Sensors and Instrumentation

Small neodymium magnets are frequently incorporated into appropriately designed magnetic sensing systems.

Potential applications include:

• Position sensing
• Proximity detection
• Reed switches
• Magnetic switches
• Instrumentation
• Automation
• Electronic prototypes
• Small mechanical systems

The magnetisation direction and pole orientation have not been supplied for this product.

Where the magnetic field direction is critical to sensor operation, confirm the required magnetisation specification before installation.

Miniature Magnetic Closures

The 3mm x 1.5mm dimensions can also make this magnet useful for very small magnetic closure systems.

Potential applications include:

• Miniature boxes
• Product enclosures
• Models
• Small display components
• Lightweight covers
• Precision products
• Custom assemblies

The magnet may be paired with compatible ferromagnetic steel or another permanent magnet.

For magnet-to-magnet closures, confirm polarity before permanently bonding the components into position.

Magnetisation Direction

Disc magnets can be manufactured with different magnetisation configurations.

The magnetisation direction for this product has not been supplied.

Do not automatically assume that the two 3mm circular faces correspond to the north and south poles.

For sensors, magnet-to-magnet assemblies or engineered magnetic circuits, confirm magnetisation direction and polarity before installation.

Magnetic Performance

Actual magnetic performance depends on factors including:

• N38 neodymium grade
• Magnetisation direction
• Magnet geometry
• Magnetic circuit design
• Target steel composition
• Target steel thickness
• Available contact area
• Surface condition
• Air gaps
• Paint and coatings
• Load direction

No specific pull force or magnetic flux density in Gauss has been supplied for this magnet and these values should not be inferred from the N38 grade or physical dimensions alone.

Air Gaps and Small Magnets

Air gaps can have a particularly noticeable effect on the practical performance of miniature magnets.

Magnetic attraction can be reduced by separation created by:

• Paint
• Adhesive
• Plastic
• Protective films
• Coatings
• Dirt
• Rust
• Mechanical clearance
• Uneven surfaces

Because this magnet is only 3mm in diameter x 1.5mm thick, even a small separation between the magnet and target material may represent a significant proportion of the magnet's dimensions.

Minimise unnecessary air gaps wherever practical.

Direct Pull vs Shear Force

Magnetic holding performance varies according to the direction of the applied load.

Direct pull occurs when the magnet is pulled perpendicular to a compatible steel surface.

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

Practical shear holding can be considerably lower than direct-pull performance and depends heavily on surface friction, installation geometry and the attached load.

Bonding Miniature Neodymium Magnets

This small disc magnet may be bonded into a suitable recess or onto an appropriate substrate.

Before bonding:

• Confirm magnetic polarity and orientation
• Ensure the application surfaces are clean
• Remove oil, grease and contamination
• Select an adhesive compatible with the materials
• Provide appropriate dimensional clearance
• Avoid force-fitting
• Apply adhesive carefully to avoid completely covering the magnet
• Allow the adhesive to cure according to its instructions

The specific magnet coating or plating has not been supplied, so adhesive compatibility should be verified for the actual surface finish.

Due to the magnet's 3mm diameter, careful handling and accurate positioning may be required during assembly.

Compatible Target Materials

Neodymium magnets attract suitable ferromagnetic materials, including:

• Mild steel
• Iron
• Magnetic steel
• Compatible ferromagnetic components

They do not effectively attract non-magnetic materials such as:

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

Many stainless steel grades may be weakly magnetic or non-magnetic and should be tested before relying on magnetic attraction.

Neodymium vs Ferrite Magnets

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

Neodymium magnets generally provide:

• Higher magnetic performance relative to size
• Strong magnetic properties from compact dimensions
• Advantages for miniature and space-constrained applications
• Broad use in precision products, sensors and engineering

Ferrite magnets are generally:

• More economical
• Naturally corrosion resistant
• Suitable for many general-purpose applications
• Typically used in larger dimensions where compact magnetic performance is less important

For an extremely small magnet measuring only 3mm x 1.5mm, neodymium is particularly useful where available installation space is limited.

Permanent Magnetic Operation

This N38 neodymium disc magnet is a permanent magnet.

It requires:

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

Its magnetic field remains continuously active during normal use.

Technical Specifications

• Product Type: Neodymium Disc Magnet
• Alternative Names: N38 Rare Earth Disc Magnet, NdFeB Disc Magnet, Miniature Neodymium Magnet, Micro Disc Magnet, Small Round Magnet
• Diameter: 3mm
• Thickness: 1.5mm
• Shape: Disc / Round
• Magnetic Material: Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB)
• Magnetic Grade: N38
• Magnet Type: Rare Earth Permanent Magnet
• Magnetic Operation: Permanent
• Power Required: None
• Target Materials: Compatible ferromagnetic iron and steel
• Primary Functions: Magnetic attraction, sensing, positioning, closure and product integration
• Typical Applications: Electronics, sensors, miniature product assemblies, models, precision equipment, prototypes and OEM products

Handling Miniature Neodymium Magnets

Neodymium magnets are hard and brittle despite their high magnetic performance.

Small magnets can also be difficult to handle because they may attract nearby magnets, tools or steel components unexpectedly.

Avoid:

• Allowing magnets to snap together
• Allowing magnets to strike steel objects
• Dropping them
• Crushing or bending the magnet
• Force-fitting into an undersized recess
• Drilling
• Cutting
• Grinding
• Machining

Neodymium magnetic material can chip, crack or fragment during uncontrolled impacts.

Important Small Magnet Safety

This 3mm x 1.5mm neodymium magnet presents a serious ingestion hazard and must be kept securely away from babies and children.

Swallowed magnets can cause severe or life-threatening internal injuries. Multiple magnets, or a magnet swallowed together with another metal object, can attract through intestinal tissue and cause perforation, blockage or other serious injuries.

Seek urgent medical attention if magnet ingestion is suspected.

If this magnet is incorporated into another product, ensure it is securely retained so that it cannot become detached during normal or reasonably foreseeable use.

Keep neodymium magnets an appropriate distance from:

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

Please Note

This product is an N38 Neodymium Disc Magnet measuring 3mm in diameter x 1.5mm thick, manufactured from Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) rare earth magnetic material.

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

Actual magnetic performance depends on the N38 magnetic material, magnetisation direction, magnetic circuit, target steel composition and thickness, available contact area, air gaps, surface condition and operating conditions.

The N38 grade identifies the magnetic material grade and does not represent the finished magnet's pull force, lifting capacity or safe working load.

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