The magnetic properties of copper, platinum, steel and stainless steel

Published: 2023-04-24 10:39:42 • Daniel Gårdefelt

Copper, platinum, steel and stainless steel are fairly common elements and alloys that we use every day. But not all of them have properties that make them magnetic. In this blog post, we will cover how magnetic these materials are and what they can be used for.

Non magnetic	Magnetic

Copper is not magnetic.
Copper (Cu) is a soft, red metal that conducts electricity and heat very well. Copper is not magnetic, although it is an important part of electronics, wiring and many alloys. This is because its atomic structure and the way its electrons are arranged make it impossible for its atoms to line up in a magnetic field.

Copper is a good shielding material because it is not magnetic. This property has specific advantages, such as less electromagnetic interference (EMI) in electronic devices. Copper can also be used in places where there cannot be much magnetic interference, such as MRI machines.

Platinum is another non-magnetic material.
Platinum (Pt) is a rare, dense, silver-white metal that does not rust and is stable. Platinum is also not magnetic, just like copper. Its atomic structure and arrangement of electrons make it impossible for its atoms to line up in a magnetic field.

Despite its non-magnetic nature, platinum has a range of uses due to its unique properties. It is widely used to make jewelry and catalytic converters for cars as well as catalyst for many other chemical reactions.

Steel is magnetic.
Steel is an alloy made mostly of iron and carbon. It is well known for being strong and useful. Steel has ferromagnetic properties, while copper and platinum do not. Materials that are ferromagnetic react strongly to external magnetic fields and can be easily magnetized or attracted to magnets.

That steel is magnetic comes from the fact that it contains iron, which has electrons that do not have a partner. These electrons that do not have a partner can align with an external magnetic field, causing the material to behave magnetically. Steel's magnetic properties can be used in construction, transport and electrical appliances, among other things.

The magnetism of stainless steel varies depending on the grade.
Stainless steel is a mixture of iron, chromium and other metals. It is strong and does not rust. Stainless steel and its magnetic properties depend on the quality of the material and how it is structured (manufactured), i.e. how much iron is mixed in. The cheaper grades of stainless steel, the higher the iron content, which means higher ferromagnetism.

There are two main types of stainless steel: ferritic and austenitic.
Ferritic stainless steels are usually magnetic because they have a lot of iron in them and have unpaired electrons. This type of stainless steel is often used in auto parts and industrial tools.

Authentic stainless steel grades tend to be non-magnetic (not ferromagnetic). By adding elements such as nickel and manganese, the atomic structure is made more stable. This prevents the atoms from aligning with an external magnetic field. Austenitic stainless steels are widely used in kitchen appliances, cooking equipment and medical tools.

Hyab manufactures various magnetic systems on a daily basis using materials such as iron to block, manipulate and amplify magnetic fields. And with stainless steel, usually as protection/cover for the magnet as the magnetic field penetrates the stainless material.

In short, copper and platinum are not magnetic, but steel is a ferromagnetic material. Different grades and types of stainless steel have different magnetic properties.