Magnetism & Stainless Steel

[Sandy Glenn]

Since I thought ALL stainless steel is magnetic, I found these two sites interesting.  

This explains three different states of magnetism:
http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/MagParticle/Physics/MagneticMatls.htm

This explains why not all SS is magnetic:
http://www.assda.asn.au/asp/index.asp?pgid=18535

Take notes... this info might be in the quiz ;)

[Tom Neitzel]

Interesting post.  I had always thought  stainless steel was, at best, weakly magnetic, at least related to bar and rod stock.

tom

[Sandy Glenn]

I had always thought stainless steel was, at best, weakly magnetic, at least related to bar and rod stock.

tom

So did I, Tom, until I found a SS barrel that wouldn't hold a magnet... might be just a little important for electro.  

[C. B. Williams]

The S/S barrel not being attracted by a magnet would not have anything to do with the electro bath, it is only required to be conductive. Being an old sailboat racer, I know that there are several "marine grade" stainless steel alloys that are free or almost free of iron. #18-8 and #316. Two reasons, (1) they tend to be more stain-less, and (2) they don't bother your magnetic compass.

[Sandy Glenn]

C.B., Are you saying a non-magnetic SS barrel could be used as the anode for electro?  Or am I misreading your post?  I honestly thought it had to have magnetic properties to work for that.

[Mike Bohannon]

Sandy,  the anode in my electro setup is 316 stainless (nonmagnetic) and it works just fine.  I have also used some 400 series stainless and it works fine also.  400 series stainless is only very slightly magnetic.  Mike

[Sandy Glenn]

Now I am REALLY confused.  Where did I get the idea that a magnetic field was a necessary property of the annode?  No science major here.  I know first hand and for certain that non-magnetic s-hooks won't work as part of the cathode.  Maybe the moderator or an admin should move this thread to the cleaning section.

[Greg Stahl]

my barrel is non-magnetic as well.

[Sandy Glenn]

Looks like I should have taken better notes.  Boy do I feel dumb.

[C. B. Williams]

Sandy: The only thing necessary for the electrolysis is that it be electrically conductive, magnetic has nothing to do with it. All metals are are electrically conductive to different degrees, but only iron (ferrus)  is magnetic.

[Ed Allspaugh]

This is a very informative site on SS.

              
http://www.ssina.com/index2.html