FREQUENT QUESTIONS

Ten questions we are asked
almost every week

Short, direct answers. If your question is not here, send it — we answer technical questions whether or not they lead to an order.

What is the minimum order?

10 mL for standard grades, so you do not need to buy a full batch for a research trial. Bulk quantities are priced per litre.

Is ferrofluid the same as magnetorheological fluid (MRF)?

No. Ferrofluid uses roughly 10 nm particles, does not settle and has almost no remanence — it is suited to sealing, sensing, damping, domain display and biomedical research, but transmits very little force. MRF uses micron-scale iron powder, reaches 50–100 kPa yield stress and can transmit torque, but settles. They are not interchangeable; say clearly which one you mean.

Which carrier should I choose?

Oil-based when you do not want the carrier to evaporate or mix with other media. Water-based when you want fast evaporation or need the particles in an aqueous system. Dry powder when you want to disperse into your own solvent.

How should I store it, and what is the shelf life?

Protect from light, store upright at room temperature, and close the cap immediately after dispensing. Ferrotec recommends using water-based grades within three months of purchase because particles gradually agglomerate — buy to your stage requirement rather than stockpiling a year of supply. If the liquid thickens, feels gritty or separates, treat it as degraded.

What does the P suffix mean on water-based grades?

It marks a different surfactant system. Carrier and saturation magnetization are close to the non-P equivalent; the difference is interfacial charge and compatibility. For example EMG 608P is cationic at pH 8–8.5 while EMG 707 is anionic. Your system's pH, ionic strength and downstream process decide which one you need.

Can I use ferrofluid in a loudspeaker voice coil?

Not the EMG or EFH series. Voice coil applications need an ester-based ferrofluid formulated for high temperature and long life. Tell us it is for a voice coil and we will point you to the right family instead.

What is the EFH series for?

EFH1 (440 Gs, 6 cP) and EFH3 (650 Gs, 12 cP) are Ferrotec's educational demonstration grades: clear spikes, pour point −94 °C, flash point 92 °C. They are designed for display bottles, museum exhibits and STEM kits. Display bottle configuration and carrier-liquid support are available.

Do you provide documentation?

Yes — MSDS/SDS, batch number and measured data such as saturation magnetization, with traceable batch numbers. Original Ferrotec datasheets are available on request.

How long does delivery take?

In-stock grades typically ship in 3–5 business days. Non-stock grades follow the Ferrotec channel lead time, confirmed in writing before you place the order.

Do you ship outside China?

Yes, worldwide from Shenzhen. We assist with the commercial invoice and packing list for export orders.

Still deciding?

Send your conditions and we will recommend a grade — or tell you ferrofluid is not the answer.

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