A refrigerator magnet is made of powdered ferrite (iron rust) and a liquid binding agent of plastic or rubber. The two are heated, mixed together, and poured into a sheet mold which is then exposed to a strong magnetic field. This field alternates in the direction along the length of the magnet orienting the poles of the powder mix to line up with the magnetic field. That field is permanently locked in place when the mixture is cooled off.
It is flexible, feels like rubber, and only one surface is attracted to metals. It doesn’t stick to a stainless steel door unless the stainless has been coated with steel. It’s made of rubber that has been impregnated with ferrite particles and magnetized. Small pieces, each a dipole, are then pressed together under heat to bond them into one thin sheet that can be cut, folded, and bonded to other sheets.
Fridge magnets may be designed to decorate refrigerators. Refrigerator magnets are also widely given away as promotional products. Refrigerator magnets can be made from rubber, PVC, polyresin, metal, porcelain, epoxy, or a mixture of some of these materials. A business can put their logo on the magnets for marketing purposes.
Refrigerator magnets can also be souvenirs. Many souvenir shops throughout the world sell magnets with local charms printed.
