We can classify metals according to how they respond to a magnet. This material property plays a key role during product design and has a different application. To understand magnetic materials, we first need to understand What Magnetism is? This article covers the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic metals.
What is Magnetism?
In laymen’s language, magnetism is a physical phenomenon produced by the motion of an electric charge. It results in attractive and repulsive forces between magnets or metals.
What is a Magnet?
A magnet is a material that produces a magnetic field with two poles (the South and the North Pole). Magnet different poles attract, and the same poles repel each other.
For example, the magnet south-pole attracts the north-pole and repels the south-pole.
Types of Magnets
The following three types of magnets are available in the market.
- Permanent magnet
- Temporary magnet
- Electromagnets
Permanent Magnet
Permanent magnets are magnets that do not lose their magnetic property once they are magnetized. Following four types of permanent magnets are available.
- Ceramic or Ferrite Magnets
- Alnico
- Samarium Cobalt
- Neodymium Magnets
Temporary Magnet
Temporary magnets are magnets that show magnetic behavior in the magnetic field. These materials lose their magnetic property when the magnetic field is not available. Magnetic materials are examples of temporary magnets.
Electromagnet
Electromagnets consist of a coil of wire wrapped around the magnetic metalcore. Metalcore behaves like a magnet when an electric current passes through the coil. The strength of the magnetic field depends on the electric current.
What are Magnetic Metals?
Magnetic metal changes the magnetic field when it comes in contact with a magnetic field. The following types of magnetic materials are available according to the material’s internal molecular structure and how they impact the magnetic field.
- Diamagnetic Materials
- Ferromagnetic Materials
- Paramagnetic Materials
Diamagnetic Materials
As shown in the above image, diamagnetic materials repel the magnetic field when placed in the magnetic field. Examples of diamagnetic materials are water, gold, mercury, copper, silver, lead, etc.
Paramagnetic Materials
Paramagnetic materials gets weakly magnetized in the direction of the magnetizing field when placed in a magnetic field. Sodium, Nickel, platinum are examples of paramagnetic materials.
Ferromagnetic Materials
Ferromagnetic materials get magnetized in the direction of the external magnetic field. Examples of ferromagnetic materials are iron, neodymium, cobalt rare earth metals etc.
List of Magnetic Materials
| Diamagnetic Metals | Ferromagnetic Metals | Paramagnetic Metals |
|---|---|---|
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What are Non-Magnetic Metals?
Non-magnetic metals are metals that do not have any impact on the magnetic field. Most metals on earth show non-magnetic properties. Here is the list of non-magnetic metals.
- Aluminum
- Gold
- Zinc
- Tin
- Silver
- Copper
- Austenitic Steel
- Magnesium
What is the Difference Between Magnetic Metal and Non Magnetic Metals?
| Parameter | Magnetic Metals | Non-Magnetic Metals |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Magnetic-metals affect the magnetic field around them. | Non-Magnetic-metals do not affect the magnetic field around them. |
| Attraction | They gets attracted towards external magnetic field. | They do not gets attracted towards external magnetic field. |
| Material Examples |
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We will keep adding more information on Magnetic metals vs non-magnetic metals. Please add your suggestions, comments, or questions on magnetic and non-magnetic metals.
We suggest you also read this article on different types of metals and their applications.
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