where to find thin metal sheets that will attract magnets
May 21, 2019 1:16 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for metal that is really thin... maybe no more than 2-3 pieces of paper in thickness that is magnetic.
I have tin cutters so I'll be able to cut metal that is this thin into strips that are 5-10 mm wide. Or it can be already made into a strip like this.
But the wires and sheets I'm finding are not magnetic. Size doesn't matter much, but I'd prefer something around 12 inches if it's a sheet. I've notice that weak metals will not attract magnets very strongly so I'd like something that will strongly attract magnets as best it can with it's thinness.
I have tin cutters so I'll be able to cut metal that is this thin into strips that are 5-10 mm wide. Or it can be already made into a strip like this.
But the wires and sheets I'm finding are not magnetic. Size doesn't matter much, but I'd prefer something around 12 inches if it's a sheet. I've notice that weak metals will not attract magnets very strongly so I'd like something that will strongly attract magnets as best it can with it's thinness.
McMaster Carr sells shim stock in various thicknesses and materials. I would probably avoid stainless steel, but some of the other options might work.
posted by backseatpilot at 1:39 PM on May 21, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by backseatpilot at 1:39 PM on May 21, 2019 [3 favorites]
Here’s a useful page explaining steel thickness and magnetic hold force. Note that you definitely need (“plain”) carbon steel. Some (400-series, I think) stainless steels are also magnetic, but aluminum and copper definitely are not.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 2:11 PM on May 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 2:11 PM on May 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
2nding shim stock of carbon steel. nickle works too and there are loads of vendors selling nickle foil on ebay
posted by Dr. Twist at 2:52 PM on May 21, 2019
posted by Dr. Twist at 2:52 PM on May 21, 2019
K&S Precision Metals has a display at most hardware stores and hobby shops. You're looking for the steel plated tin sheets. These are small (4" x 10"), so if you need a large amount go with bondcliff's suggestion. Here's a list of retailers.
posted by Grumpy old geek at 4:11 PM on May 21, 2019
posted by Grumpy old geek at 4:11 PM on May 21, 2019
I forgot to add that tin isn't magnet but the steel coating on the sheets is. Take a magnet with you to make sure it meets your needs.
posted by Grumpy old geek at 4:14 PM on May 21, 2019
posted by Grumpy old geek at 4:14 PM on May 21, 2019
You want some sheet steel, possibly galvanized to deal with rust. How much? Tins are a good source - I buy popcorn tins at the Goodwill outlet to store dog food.
posted by theora55 at 5:45 PM on May 21, 2019
posted by theora55 at 5:45 PM on May 21, 2019
Depending on how much you need, it might be worth walking around your local big box store with a magnet and trying out cookie sheets.
posted by catalytics at 5:52 PM on May 21, 2019
posted by catalytics at 5:52 PM on May 21, 2019
Um, tin is typically used to coat steel, not the other way round. Steel melts at about 2500f, tin melts at less than 500f.
Office copy paper is usually .003" to .0035" thickness. I use it in machining, put a piece of paper between the cutter and the material. When the machine snatches the paper, I know how far I am from the part.
posted by rudd135 at 6:41 PM on May 21, 2019
Office copy paper is usually .003" to .0035" thickness. I use it in machining, put a piece of paper between the cutter and the material. When the machine snatches the paper, I know how far I am from the part.
posted by rudd135 at 6:41 PM on May 21, 2019
What OP is looking for is going to be MUCH thinner than any tin container or baking sheet. Shim stock is the best bet.
posted by rudd135 at 6:47 PM on May 21, 2019
posted by rudd135 at 6:47 PM on May 21, 2019
What OP is looking for is going to be MUCH thinner than any tin container or baking sheet.
I don't believe so.
A 500 sheet ream of 80g/m2 office paper is about 50mm thick, which makes each sheet come to about 0.1mm. This American Iron and Steel Institute information sheet on steel packaging quotes a thickness figure of 0.14mm for the tin-plated steel used in cans. That's too thin, not too thick.
Steel baking sheets will usually be made of stainless steel, which ranges from somewhat magnetic to completely non-magnetic depending on the grade. If the aim is to be as attracted to magnets as the sheet thickness allows, ordinary mild steel is the material to look out for. Galvanized steel would be quite acceptable since the thickness of the zinc coating is going to be so thin as to make no perceptible difference.
Galvanized corrugated roofing iron is usually about 0.25mm thick, and if you're going to cut it into 5mm strips anyway, the corrugation won't be an issue. You might be able to score scrap pieces of about the size you want from the skip at a building site for nothing.
posted by flabdablet at 8:52 PM on May 21, 2019
I don't believe so.
A 500 sheet ream of 80g/m2 office paper is about 50mm thick, which makes each sheet come to about 0.1mm. This American Iron and Steel Institute information sheet on steel packaging quotes a thickness figure of 0.14mm for the tin-plated steel used in cans. That's too thin, not too thick.
Steel baking sheets will usually be made of stainless steel, which ranges from somewhat magnetic to completely non-magnetic depending on the grade. If the aim is to be as attracted to magnets as the sheet thickness allows, ordinary mild steel is the material to look out for. Galvanized steel would be quite acceptable since the thickness of the zinc coating is going to be so thin as to make no perceptible difference.
Galvanized corrugated roofing iron is usually about 0.25mm thick, and if you're going to cut it into 5mm strips anyway, the corrugation won't be an issue. You might be able to score scrap pieces of about the size you want from the skip at a building site for nothing.
posted by flabdablet at 8:52 PM on May 21, 2019
If fantasticness could offer a clarifying comment about the end use that these magnet-attracting strips are to be put to, that might help people come up with useful suggestions about how to find materials fit for that purpose.
posted by flabdablet at 12:29 AM on May 22, 2019
posted by flabdablet at 12:29 AM on May 22, 2019
For example, florist wire is made of mild steel and is available in a range of thicknesses and surface finishes.
posted by flabdablet at 7:47 AM on May 22, 2019
posted by flabdablet at 7:47 AM on May 22, 2019
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Home Depot and other big box stores will sell sheet metal. It's usually in the same aisle where they keep the screws and such. You might want to bring a magnet with you to test how well it sticks.
Also in Home Depot, if you go to where they sell the metal heating ducts you can find sheets for building your own ducts. These are just sheet metal that is cheaper than the "regular" sheet metal, but there will be a little lip you might need to cut off one side.
posted by bondcliff at 1:28 PM on May 21, 2019 [1 favorite]