[andyfresle (OP)]

Is it possible to interfere with a permanent magnet with any material. metal, anything other than Electricity??

[tweener]

What do you mean by interfere?  You can change the pattern of the field with pieces of ferrous metal or other permanent magnets, but not really change the magnet itself.  If you use another permanent magnet to apply a reverse field for a long time, or heat the first one, you can partially de-magnetize it.

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John - The Eternal Pessimist.

[andyfresle (OP)]

quote:Originally posted by andyfresle

Is it possible to interfere with a permanent magnet with any material. metal, anything other than Electricity??

By this I mean interfere with the magnetic flux ie block the magnetic fiels wirh no damage to the magnet and fast. I want to use a material like a switch. placed in between to turn off the field, remove to turn on

[gsmollin]

Yes, a ferromagnetic material can be placed in the magnetic field, and used as a shield. The high permeability of the shield will confine the field, and route it around the area you wish to shield. Note that for maximum effectiveness, the shield must be closed- either around the magnet, or around the volume you wish to shield. The best magnetic materials are rather expensive- mu-metal, or permalloy. Ordinary transformer grade silicon steel is also effective at low cost. For the cheapest shield, use low carbon steel.