Metals can be magnetic and non-magnetic. The magnetic ones will produce a field around them, usually described as “ferromagnetic.” These metals are not magnetic by themselves in their natural state. Still, they can be attracted to objects that produce magnetic fields.
Once magnetized, these metals become magnets themselves. It is essential to know which metals are ferromagnetic when you are working with them.
Steel is handy for repelling or attracting other materials once magnetized. It is highly beneficial for you to know about which metals can be magnetized.
If you want to avoid these magnetic forces, you should work with metals that are not ferromagnetic. In this article, we will show you what metals are magnetic.
If you are wondering whether gold, stainless steel, aluminum, or sterling silver is attracted to magnets, look below. We explain many metals and their properties.
Summary
The most common magnetic metal is iron. It is the cheapest one with a price of $0.82 per ounce. Gold and Aluminum do not have magnetic properties, but you will notice that stainless steel can get attracted by magnets. In this article, we will also talk about other metals such as:
- Samarium
- Cobalt
- Nickel
Table of Contents
What metals are magnetic?
A metal can interact with a magnet in various ways. Frequently, it depends strictly on the internal structure of the materials you are working with. These can be classified as ferromagnetic, paramagnetic, or diamagnetic.
A magnet will only affect ferromagnetic metals, but they also have a faint effect on paramagnetic ones. When you place them near a magnet, the diamagnetic metals express a weak repulsion force. In essence, only ferromagnetic metals have magnetic properties.
| Metal | Price per Ounce | Price Date |
|---|---|---|
| Iron | $0.82 | January 19, 2023 |
| Cobalt | $21.35 | January 19, 2023 |
| Nickel | $6.47 | January 19, 2023 |
| Neodymium | $66.50 | January 19, 2023 |
| Samarium | $12.20 | January 19, 2023 |
Let’s take a look at a couple of metals and see whether they are ferromagnetic or not. This way, you can identify which interact with magnets.
Is gold magnetic?
Just like most metals in this world, gold is also diamagnetic. It is precious and common in pieces of jewelry and various accessories. But gold has a relatively weak magnetic attraction to magnets that are in pure form.
Stainless steel
To be considered stainless, chrome is added to the alloy steel. It results in a specific chemical composition that makes the metal ferromagnetic. Stainless steel is magnetic and will actively interact with the force fields.
However, austenitic steels do not hold any ferromagnetic properties simply due to their molecular structure. It allows for comprehensive utilization in the medical industry as surgical steel becomes more common.
Aluminum
Aluminum has a distinctive crystal structure similar to lithium and magnesium. As a result, these metals have non-magnetic properties and are also good examples of paramagnetic metals. Aluminum is known as a highly durable material that is rust-resistant.
While aluminum corrosion can still happen in different ways, it is known for its high resistance to harsh environments. It is also lightweight, making it ideal in multiple industries.
Silver
Silver is another excellent example of a diamagnetic metal, similar to palladium and rhodium. Because of this property, such metals have non-magnetic functions. Silver is well-known for its strong electrical and thermal conductivity and bright reflectivity.
When silver is heated, this metal becomes soft and malleable. Although not as resistant as aluminum, silver also has high corrosion resistance features.
Today, it is used for the production of jewelry and coins. Solar panels also depend on this metal, which is constantly growing in popularity.
Copper
While the copper itself does not feature any magnetic properties, it can interact with metals in various ways. You will often find copper in power plants, which use this metal to generate electricity.
Metal detectors can detect non-magnetic metals as well, like gold and silver. For practical purposes, the interaction between copper and magnets is limited. Its application is not ideal on a large scale.
Titanium
When compared to other ferromagnetic metals, titanium is weakly magnetic in the presence of a magnetic field. A specific effect is created with this metal. For example, a small electrical current will form in the metal when a magnet is passed over it.
These currents have their magnetic field that can interact with the moving magnet above. As a result, the metal will move without directly interacting with the metal itself. Sensitive equipment could easily measure this effect in titanium.
Brass
Brass is a mix between Zinc and Copper. These two primary elements are not magnetic. When they form together, they will also create a non-magnetic compound. In essence, brass will not interact with moving magnets.
It shares similar features with aluminum, copper, and zinc. Brass was often used for musical instruments. Back then, the only way of achieving good tonal results was using instruments with high copper content.
| Industry | Function |
| Aerospace | Used in aircraft engine parts and landing gear components. |
| Automotive | Used in gears and bearings |
| Construction | Used in plumbing fixtures, door hardware, and ornamental decorations. |
| Electronics | Used in connectors, switches, and terminals. |
| Musical instruments | Used in trumpet and trombone. You can also find it in the saxophone and other brass instruments. |
Iron
It is one of the most popular ferromagnetic metals. There are lots of factors that contribute to the magnetism of iron. Its crystalline structure is just as crucial as the electron spin at the atomic level. Without them, iron would lose its ferromagnetic features.
Any metal with iron in it will experience attraction to a magnet. Because steel contains iron, this material will be attracted to a magnet as well. Other metals, such as aluminum or gold, cannot be considered ferromagnetic as they lack iron.
Lead
Even though lead is a very heavy metal, it is not magnetic. But because this material is heavy, it can be coated with gold by scammers who pretend to sell solid gold jewelry.
Lead and gold share the same weight; only an expert can tell the difference. Although it doesn’t share magnetic properties, lead can interact with magnetic fields by moving a powerful magnet past a leaded piece.
Nickel
Nickel is also found in the earth’s core, making it popular. It shares ferromagnetic properties with steel and iron, and this material has been used to make coins for a long time.
Today, nickel is used in many industries. Phones and batteries are just two of the many examples, as this metal is an essential component of our everyday products. You can find many nickel magnets, as they are typical.
Hematite
Another essential mineral in our planet’s composition is hematite, which is also magnetic. Scientists have investigated its properties for a long time. Nowadays, this material has a wide variety of uses.
However, it lacks popularity and economic significance as iron is more commonly used. Hematite is used to produce ballast, radiation shielding, and pigments. You can also find magnets made of hematite, which are very rare.
| Industry | Function |
| Chemical Industry | Used as a source of iron when making chemicals such as fertilizers and pigments. |
| Construction | Used as a pigment in paints and as a decorative stone in architecture and sculptures. |
| Healthcare | Used in the treatment of various health conditions. It includes things such as anemia. It acts a natural remedy for pain relief and wound healing. |
| Iron and Steel Production | Used as a source of iron to produce iron and steel products. |
| Jewelry | Used as a semi-precious stone in jewelry making. |
