Mike, thanks for sharing this story. I am not surprised by the loss of the rare earth magnets magnetism.** Rare earth magnets are basically of two types neodymium magnets and samarium magnets. Neodymium magnets completely loss permanent magnetism at temp above some 600°F. Samarium – cobalt magnets completely loss permanent magnetism at temp above some 1300°F.
I think your magnets were made of neodymium.
The temperature at which materials lose their permanent magnetic properties is called Curie temperature (Tc). It is named after Pierre Curie, who was husband of Marie Curie known for her pioneering research on radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
Jan
**P.S.: You can restore the permanent magnetism (correctly remanent magnetization) of a heated magnet by attaching it to a fresh rare earth magnet. Respect the polarity of the magnets.
I think your magnets were made of neodymium.
The temperature at which materials lose their permanent magnetic properties is called Curie temperature (Tc). It is named after Pierre Curie, who was husband of Marie Curie known for her pioneering research on radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
Jan
**P.S.: You can restore the permanent magnetism (correctly remanent magnetization) of a heated magnet by attaching it to a fresh rare earth magnet. Respect the polarity of the magnets.