Which stainless steel series is magnetic?

Which stainless steel series is magnetic?

• A. 300 series
• B. 400 series
• C. 600 series
• D. 500 series

Answer: (B)

Magnetism in stainless steel comes from its crystal structure. Austenitic stainless steels, which include the common non-magnetic types, have a nickel-stabilized crystal arrangement that is essentially non-magnetic in normal conditions. Ferritic and martensitic stainless steels lack that nickel stabilization, and their crystal structure is magnetic, so magnets readily attract them. The other families, like precipitation-hardening or high-nickel variations, don’t show a consistent magnetic behavior in typical use. So, the stainless steel group that is magnetic is the ferritic/martensitic family.

Magnetism in stainless steel comes from its crystal structure. Austenitic stainless steels, which include the common non-magnetic types, have a nickel-stabilized crystal arrangement that is essentially non-magnetic in normal conditions. Ferritic and martensitic stainless steels lack that nickel stabilization, and their crystal structure is magnetic, so magnets readily attract them. The other families, like precipitation-hardening or high-nickel variations, don’t show a consistent magnetic behavior in typical use. So, the stainless steel group that is magnetic is the ferritic/martensitic family.