An introduction to neodymium

Neodymium demand and end-uses

Neodymium is used in many high-tech and clean energy applications. It’s a critical component for making the world’s strongest magnets (neodymium-iron-boron / NdFeB) and is used in the motors of electric and hybrid vehicles, wind turbines and many small applications such as cordless tools, hard disk drives and magnetic fasteners owing to its power and durability.

Wind turbines host large neodymium magnets, and their size will depend on the height and technology used in the generator, where the magnet weight can range from 1-2 tonnes per turbine, where around a third of the weight is from rare earth elements.

Its magnetic properties also assist with the miniaturisation of consumer electronics such as headphones, microphones and loudspeakers without compromising performance, where magnets may weigh less than 1 gram.

Neodymium magnets are also suitable in medical devices like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines to assist in producing detailed cross-sectional images, often with two neodymium-boron-iron magnetic blocks/disks.

Beyond the consumer world, neodymium has a critical function to play in the defence sector, where it is used as in permanent magnet in precision-guidance and control missiles, high-powered electric motors, actuators and steal/noise cancellation systems Equipment examples here include smart bombs, anti-ship missiles, joint air-to-ground and cruise missiles, AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile mounted on fighter jets, AIM-120 Advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

In acoustic signature reduction technologies, neodymium magnets are used on military ships, submarines and fixed-wing aircraft to limit engine and gear systems, propulsion systems, hydrodynamic and airflow noise for tactical advantage and assist in masking the propellor signature from the sail, bilge and rudder vortices. Neodymium is also used in other military applications, such as communication and display aids, including lasers, monitors and avionics. And, along with other rare earth elements yttrium, lanthanum, lutetium and europium, neodymium assists with the amplification to enhance signals on radar, sonar transducers, and chemical detection devices.

Neodymium supply

The main sources of neodymium supply are from monazite and bastnäsite where China is a key producer. Other countries producing neodymium include Australia, United States, India, Brazil and African countries such as Madagascar and South Africa.

The life cycle of neodymium magnets can vary from 2-3 years in portable electronics, and up to 30 years for wind turbines. A significant opportunity will arise to enhance the circularity of neodymium. By incorporating recycling as part of the decommissioning and replacement strategy, particularly when there is limited Neodymium availability and significant environmental impacts associated with mining and processing rare earths.