When you magnetize a metal you create one of three types of magnets:Ī permanent magnet is a metal whose crystalline structure has been permanently re-aligned. In their natural state, the atoms of ferromagnetic metals are usually not aligned but will need to be magnetized. Only ferromagnetic materials are capable of being magnetized. In most materials, the atoms are not aligned into any sort of pattern.
If the crystalline structure of the atoms within a piece of metal is aligned so that all of the atoms are facing the same direction, that metal will be magnetic. But if you want to avoid exerting unnecessary magnetic forces on your materials, you may want to avoid ferromagnetic metals in your project. Sometimes the ferromagnetic properties of an alloy such as steel are incredibly useful for attracting or repelling other materials. When working with any metal, it is important to know if it is ferromagnetic. When they are magnetized, they become magnets themselves. Metals that can be magnetized are described as “ ferromagnetic.” In their natural state, these metals are usually not magnetic themselves but will be attracted to objects which produce magnetic fields. Common magnetic alloys include:Ī magnetic metal, when magnetized, produces a magnetic field. There are three elemental metals that are magnetic:Ĭompounds and alloys can also be magnetic if they contain iron, cobalt, or nickel.