Re: Stainless steel magnetic?


Al wrote:
In article <1149872803.218098.296300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
"Mike D" <michael3d2000@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Your friend is wrong: 400 series stainless and many duplex stainless
steels are strongly ferromagnetic (i.e., a permanent magnet will stick
to it).

300 series stainless steel is generallly not ferromagnetic, but will
change when machined or plastically deformed. The amount of work done
on the part determines magnetic strength.

A 304 stainless steel part will hold a magnet if it was machined or
cold rolled. If the magnetism is a problem, it'll have to be heat
treated to remove the magnetic phase.

If you doubt the material, the only way to know for sure is to send it
out for chemical analysis. A magnetic test is not sufficient.

Mike

Wouter van Marle wrote:
Hi all,

I've an issue on stainless steel. I've got some product, that my
supplier claims is stainless steel. However, a magnet sticks strongly to
it: the material obviously is magnetic. So that indicates normal
iron/steel instead! According to my friend, no stainless steel attracts
magnets. I really don't know if this is the case.
Manufacturer claims it is stainless steel type 304.

So the question is: will a magnet stick to a stainless steel 304 ***?

Wouter.


Interesting. My son has a refrigerator that is the new look with
stainless steel. He's annoyed as his magentic trinkets don't stick to it.

Al

Hello Al,

A "typical" refrigerator magnet is not very strong, it is unlikely to
have much holding force on a stainless steel refrigerator. In
addition, the magnet usually has some decorative cover that adds
weight, this'll also reduce the holding power.

A NdFeB magnet will likely hold onto one of those stainless steel
fridges (I've never tried), but don't expect a lot of holding power. I
suppose the designers of those fridges prefer the clean, uncluttered
look of a magnet-free refrigerator door.

Mike

.