Many people think that they know the answer to the question “What do magnets stick to?” or “Do magnets stick to stainless steel?” and more often than not, their response will be “metals” or “magnets stick to all metals.” However, that is only partly true because magnets stick to some types of metals, and discovering which metals are magnetic is a learning process. For example, imagine you have two metal cabinets right in front of you, one is aluminum, and one is steel. When you try to stick your magnets on the cabinets, the magnet will slide off the aluminum cabinet and stick firmly to the steel cabinet.
The most accurate answer to the question(s), “what do magnets stick to?” or “What metals are magnetic?” is “ferromagnetic materials.” Ferromagnetism is the basis on which custom refrigerator magnets work. Any ferromagnetic material can make magnets stick to them firmly. Here are the most common ferromagnetic materials:
Many grades of surgical steel are magnetic. The steel’s chemical composition determines whether or not it’s magnetic. A large quantity of ferrite will make surgical steel magnetic.
The Issue about Strong and Weak Metals
In their natural states, metals such as brass, copper, gold, and silver will not attract magnets. This is because they are weak metals to start with. Magnets only attach themselves to strong metals such as iron and cobalt, and that is why not all types of metals can make magnets stick to them, which answers the question “why are some metals not magnetic?” However, you can actually add properties such as iron or steel into the weak metals to make them stronger. Even adding a very small amount of iron into a metal like gold can make it become magnetic.
Stainless Steels and Magnets
Steel is a metal that magnets stick to because iron can be found inside steel. However, stainless steels comprise a large group of steel alloys that are made of different metal compositions. While some have more chromium, some might have more iron in them. That is why you will find that while some types of stainless steels are magnetic, other stainless steel types will not make magnets stick to them, providing answers to age-old questions “will a magnet stick to stainless steel?” and “why are some metals not magnetic?” Stainless steel is often used in a wide range of home appliances, so if you experiment, you might find that your fridge magnet sticks to your oven but does not stick to your rice cooker.
Can You Grade Stainless Steel with a Magnet?
FAQ
How can you tell if something is surgical steel?
What steel does not stick to a magnet?
Is there a difference between stainless steel and surgical steel?
What kind of metal is surgical steel?
Will my magnet collection stick to stainless steel?
If so, when you’re shopping for new appliances, you need to know whether your magnet collection will stick to stainless steel. The short answer is maybe. In many homes, the refrigerator serves as a message center.
Does stainless steel have a high level of magnetism?
Ultimately, the level of magnetism depends on the type of stainless steel and its alloy composition. The strength of the magnet can also play a role. For instance, an exceptionally strong magnet may successfully stick to austenitic stainless steel. Meanwhile, a weak magnet may struggle to stick to a ferritic surface.
Is stainless steel magnetic or nonmagnetic?
In summary, ferritic stainless steels are usually magnetic, while most austenitic stainless steels are nonmagnetic. Ultimately, the level of magnetism depends on the type of stainless steel and its alloy composition. The strength of the magnet can also play a role.
Why do magnets stick to stainless steel appliances?
Why Do Magnets Stick to Some Stainless Steel Appliances? If the stainless steel skin of an appliance is relatively thin and the underlying core is ferromagnetic, a strong magnet will cling to the surface because the magnetic force penetrates through the stainless steel to the underlying material.