Is Stainless Steel Magnetic?
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When it comes to classifying stainless steel as having magnetic properties, there is not a simpl yes and no answer. Instead, the proper response would be to state that it depends. Here is some information about stainless steel that will help to identify situations in which this alloy exhibits magnetic properties, and when it does not.
It is important to understand that stainless steel is not a pure magnetic metal. In fact, stainless steel is really a collective name for a steel alloy that is mixed with other metals in order to give it the properties that make the metal compound so desirable. For instance, the typical stainless steel contains just over ten percent of chromium.
In fact, it is the presence of the chromium that provides stainless steel with the ability to repel permanent stains and keep looking fresh and clean over long periods of time. The chromium essentially creates a protective layer on the alloy that prevents rusting and makes the metal resistant to any real damage. Any scratches to the surface are simply filled in by this protective layer, making it possible to prevent corrosion to occur. It is the introduction of chromium into the mix that we refer to as stainless steel that makes it possible for the alloy to exhibit magnetic properties.
It is important to note that other metals may be introduced into the steel compound as well as the chromium. One of these metals is nickel. Essentially, the addition of nickel to the stainless steel compound helps to strengthen the protective qualities of the chromium. Generally referred to as a 300 series, stainless steel that contains nickel is not magnetic at all. The reason is that the presence of the nickel alters the physical structure of the stainless steel and removes or inhibits any magnetic qualities.
However, magnetic stainless steel does exist. The 400 series, which contains steel and chromium, but without the presence of nickel, does in fact exhibit magnetic qualities. While the degree of magnetic attraction may vary, it is not unusual for items made with the 400 series stainless steel to provide enough attraction to interact with magnets, and in some cases to allow small metal items to adhere to the stainless steel surface. However, magnetic stainless steel in consumer products does not tend to carry a strong magnetic charge, so there are not any practical home uses involving magnetic attraction.
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19
All stainless steel can be magnetized through the plasma induction process of stabilization. In essence the ion stream from the dilithium crystals cause a phase shift into the sixth dimension.
I know this because I'm from the future. - anon46741
18
contains sufficient information. Thanks. - anon44930
16
Induction cooking requires magnetic stainless steel or iron types of pots and pans. Anything that a magnet will attract strongly to works on induction cooking surfaces. - anon43958
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One practical home application for magnetic stainless steel is in the use of cookware for induction cook tops. Induction cooking is rapidly coming into vogue and a lot of high end homes are replacing gas cook tops with induction. - anon43855
14
Some stainless steels are magnetic and some are not because the iron contained in some stainless steel is high and some iron contained in most stainless steel is low. So if the iron contained in the stainless steel is high it will be a magnetic stainless steel. Therefore if the iron contained in the stainless steel is low it will be a non-magnetic ordinary stainless steel.
The iron could be the same in the steel but the carbon and the chromium may be more or less. - anon39617
13
I bought a fridge, microwave with S/S fronts accidentally put a magnetic card on door of fridge it didnt fall off, Mmmm me thinks its not S/S - anon36007
12
Stainless is *very* easy to separate from aluminum. The most noticeable thing is weight, aluminum is roughly 1/3 the weight of steel(any steel). As was said, aluminum is softer than stainless, but keep in mind, most stainless steels are (relatively speaking) fairly soft. The only hardened stainless the average person is likely to encounter is in knives. Also, aluminum has a slightly white color to it even when polished, stainless is colorless. - anon34332
11
300 series stainless can exhibit magnetism after undergoing cold working, like wire-drawing or rolling. The amount of magnetism depends on the level of cold working that the part undergoes. 304 sheet used in grills is often non-magnetic, whereas 304 rod stock is magnetic, for example. The higher nickel grades, like 310 and 316, do not become magnetic, even after cold working. - anon33095
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Whether a stainless steel is magnetic or not depends mainly on it's nickel content. More nickel = less magnetic. As for the difference between aluminum and stainless steel, the easiest way to tell is by weight. - anon30608
9
Chromium stainless steel is magnetic. - anon24219
8
I know that austenitic stainless steel is non-magnetic. But, recently I have seen fasteners made of AISI 304 (austenitic grade) has exhibited some degree of magnetism. Is it due to some defect in the crystal structure? How to remove this magnetism? - anon23202
7
Stainless steel is harder than aluminum so if you get a piece of Al and try and scratch stainless steel you shouldn't be able to scratch it. Then try and scratch Al with some stainless and notch the difference.This won't work if you have some high grade AL alloy but will work well for the low grade stuff. Hope this helps. - anon19556
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Hi This is Tony in hardware retail . We sell hose clips that the supplier says it is stainless steel 430 AISI. How can we prove to the customer that this is indeed stainless steel and not galvanized steel? The customers are using the magnet to check it out and object that the stainless should not attract magnet so for them it cannot be stainless steel but only galvanized. How can we tell the difference? - anon18316
5
Has silicon anything to do with destroying stainless steels magnetism? - anon17657
4
Ask to see the specs on the grill. They should include the quality of the steel used in the components. If they don't and the salesperson doesn't seem inclined to help out, then look for a grill elsewhere. - mdt
3
I assume stainless steel that is 10% chrome is less resistant to rust than 20 or 30% chrome. So when you are out there buying that new SS grill and the magnetic test is not valid, what is a person to do? - ss1
2
This can be tough, since polished aluminum can look and weigh much like stainless steel. But there are a couple of ways to tell if that metal bowl in the kitchen is stainless steel or polished aluminum. First, thump the empty bowl. Stainless steel will produce more of a "ring" while aluminum will produce more of a flat tone. If a run through the dishwasher leaves the finish on the bowl somewhat dulled, then it is probably aluminum. Stainless steel seems to retain its sheen when ran through a dishwasher. - mdt
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so how can one tell the difference between stainless and some others like polished Aluminum. they often look exactly alike and if a magnet won't do it what will differentiate? - anon12011
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Written by
Malcolm Tatum
Last Modified: 28 September 2009
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