I recently purchased a supposedly stainless steel braclet on eBay but when I checked to see if it was attracted to a magnet, it wasn't. I used the magnet to verify it was truly stainless steel.
I always thought stainless steel would be attracted to a magnet.
2006-09-23 17:24:06 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Helmut mentioned that 300 series not readily attracted. Does not readily mean not at all, or just barely, or what?
2006-09-23 17:54:05 · update #1
The 300- series stainless steels are not readily attracted by a magnet.
The 400 series are strongly attracted to a magnet.
2006-09-23 17:41:28 · answer #1 · answered by Helmut 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A magnet works on metals that have a carbon content in them. The more carbon in the material the stronger the attraction.
2006-09-23 17:26:25 · answer #2 · answered by boilermakersnoopy433 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Stainless steel is mostly iron which is one of the ferromagnetic metals. So it will attract a magnet. The other ferromagnetic metals are nickel, and cobalt.
2006-09-23 17:37:12 · answer #3 · answered by Kevin H 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋