Neodymium Problems. Any techies here?

Hi GlP.

I've got some magnets in my lab. I can't stop them sticking together. They're pretty strong, see wikipedia:

The greater forces exerted by rare-earth magnets create hazards that may not occur with other types of magnet. Neodymium magnets larger than a few cubic centimeters are strong enough to cause injuries to body parts pinched between two magnets, or a magnet and a ferrous metal surface, even causing broken bones.[24]

Magnets that get too near each other can strike each other with enough force to chip and shatter the brittle magnets, and the flying chips can cause various injuries, especially eye injuries.


Every time I try and prise them apart, they are back together the next day.

I've tried forcing everything between them:

glass
rubber
oil
asphalt
bread
rye bread
corn bread
Jacob's crackers
Diwali crackers
Rice cakes
ceramic
quartz
cotton
brown paper
wood
plastic
air
diamond
scoured water

Goddamn it, I've tried screaming at the magnets, tried reasoning with them, tried emotional blackmail. I've ordered hit squad, stamped on them, sneered at them, dragged them through the muck... character assassination. I even got mad and flung one magnet into the sea, and the other in a hot furnace.

the next day... you guessed it...

Back Together.

Guys, why won't these magnets respect my authority, and the Strong and Good Order Of Benevolent Goodness?

Any advice?

Stan.