List of Metals Attracted to Magnets

All metals come with different properties that make them useful to manufacturers and engineers. But, what exactly makes a metal magnetic? And why do some metals not have any magnetic properties?

If you’d like an answer to the above questions, you’re in luck. In our blog below, you can find a magnetic metals list, as well as the answers to other questions you might have about metals and magnetism. Read on to find out more. 

To find out more about Salamander Fabrication’s sheet metal fabrication service, get in touch with our sales team today at 01484 843599.

What does it mean when a metal is magnetic?

When a metal is magnetic, it creates a magnetic field that has attractive and repulsive forces on a magnet. 

Magnetism in metals is caused by an uneven distribution of electrons in atoms. As this distribution moves and rotates irregularly, it shifts the charge inside the atom back and forth. As a result, magnetic dipoles (a closed loop of an electric current) are created.

What are the types of magnetism?

Before we dive into the types of metals that have magnetic properties, let’s first explore the different types of magnetism:

Ferromagnetism

Ferromagnetism is the strongest type of magnetic behaviour, as well as the most common. Materials that have these magnetic properties showcase attraction to magnets and can be magnetised. Those with ferromagnetic materials have unpaired electrons in their atoms.

Antiferromagnetism

As the name suggests, antiferromagnetism is the opposite of ferromagnetism. In this type of magnetism, electrons within a material come together to form a chain of oppositely charged particles, despite the materials not appearing to have any magnetic properties. But, as the temperature rises, the electrons will randomly scatter and become magnetic. This is known as the Vanille temperature. 

Ferrimagnetism 

This type of magnetism occurs in solid materials where the individual atoms align themselves in an unplanned way. It is similar to ferromagnetism, but it differs in the fact that the atoms might align themselves parallel, in the same direction, or in opposite ways rather than in just one direction. 

Paramagnetism

Paramagnetism happens when there is a presence of unpaired electrons – which act like tiny magnets – within a material, that causes a weak attraction to a strong magnet. Examples of paramagnetic materials include oxygen, aluminium – and other rare earth elements from the periodic table. 

Diamagnetism

Diamagnetism is the complete opposite of paramagnetism, in that in diamagnetic materials, electrons are paired and none are freely available. As they are orbiting in opposite directions, they produce no magnetic field. Meaning, diamagnetic materials are always repulsed and will be repelled in any magnetic field.

Magnetic metals list

Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly used magnetic metals below:

Steel

Steel is highly susceptible to metal attraction so is a ferromagnetic metal. However, the properties of the steel in question affects how magnetic it is. For example, if it has smaller grain sizes – this can enhance its magnetic properties. Or, if the nickel level rises in a steel alloy, this can make it more magnetic. 

Iron

Iron is an abundant metal and easily sourced – which is why it’s commonly used within a variety of industries. It is a ferromagnetic material which makes it useful for applications in electrical and electromechanical devices, such as in the transportation industry to help make electric motors. 

Cobalt

Cobalt is another ferromagnetic metal, found within the Earth’s crust in a chemically combined form. It’s considered to be a valuable type of metal as it can be used in many portable electronic devices that are a part of our daily lives. This includes telephones, tablets and laptops. 

Nickel

Nickel is a ferromagnetic metal that is silvery white in appearance. It’s considered to be tougher and harder than iron. As it resists corrosion, it is used to plate other metals as a way of protecting them from the elements. What’s more, it’s also used to make alloys such as stainless steel. 

Gadolinium 

Gadolinium is a paramagnetic metal that is only temporarily magnetised when placed in the vicinity of a magnetic field. This is the result of its structure allowing for a bigger number of unpaired electrons. Gadolinium is most commonly known for being used to make images clearer in an MRI scan. 

Dysprosium 

Dysprosium has different magnetic properties depending on the temperature it is kept at. If it is below 85K, it is considered to be ferromagnetic, but is antiferromagnetic when between 85 and 179K. Anything above that and it is a paramagnetic material. 

Terbium

When it is below 219K, terbium is a ferromagnetic material, but when above this temperature, it turns into an antiferromagnetic state. Terbium has an extensive amount of uses, including in low-energy lightbulbs and mercury lamps. It can also be used in the science industry to improve the quality of medical x-ray images. 

Which metal has the strongest magnetism?

The metal with the strongest magnetism is Neodymium iron boron (NdFeb), which is made from an alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron. 

This alloy was developed in 1984 and is the most widely used permanent magnet made from rare earth materials. 

Which metals are not magnetic?

There are several metals that aren’t magnetic – meaning they cannot be made into magnets and will not be attracted to magnetic fields. These include:

• Aluminium
• Copper
• Brass
• Silver
• Gold
• Zinc
• Lead
• Tungsten

Choose Salamander Fabrications for Accurate Results

At Salamander Fabrications, we’ve been providing high-quality sheet metal fabrication services since 1968, so are more than equipped to choose the right metals for your next project. 

With our team’s extensive amount of expertise, we’ll listen to your needs and find a solution that suits your project. No matter which one of our sheet metal fabrication services you use – such as CAD design or powder coating – Salamander Fabrications will provide you with precise, accurate and high-quality results. For more information about our services, get in touch with our team of experts today.