What material are permanent magnets used on escalators and moving walks made of?

What material are permanent magnets used on escalators and moving walks made of?

• A. Alnico
• B. Rare earth
• C. Ferrite
• D. Ceramic

Answer: (D)

Ferrite magnets, which are ceramic magnets, are used in the permanent-magnet drives for escalators and moving walks. These magnets are made from iron oxide-based ceramics (often with iron plus barium or strontium) and provide a practical balance of cost, durability, and adequate magnetic strength for the motor needs in public-use equipment. They resist corrosion, tolerate the kinds of temperatures and vibration typical of escalators, and are inexpensive to manufacture, making them ideal for long-life, high-usage systems. Rare-earth magnets, while stronger, are more expensive and can be more temperature-sensitive, which isn’t ideal for this application. Alnico magnets are less common today due to lower magnetic performance for compact motors. Since ferrite magnets are essentially ceramic magnets, choosing ceramic aligns with using ferrite.

Ferrite magnets, which are ceramic magnets, are used in the permanent-magnet drives for escalators and moving walks. These magnets are made from iron oxide-based ceramics (often with iron plus barium or strontium) and provide a practical balance of cost, durability, and adequate magnetic strength for the motor needs in public-use equipment. They resist corrosion, tolerate the kinds of temperatures and vibration typical of escalators, and are inexpensive to manufacture, making them ideal for long-life, high-usage systems. Rare-earth magnets, while stronger, are more expensive and can be more temperature-sensitive, which isn’t ideal for this application. Alnico magnets are less common today due to lower magnetic performance for compact motors. Since ferrite magnets are essentially ceramic magnets, choosing ceramic aligns with using ferrite.