Galvanized steel is normal steel coated with a thin protective layer of zinc. Let us find whether galvanized steel magnetic or not.
Galvanized steel is magnetic since steel is magnetic. The magnetic behavior of galvanized steel depends on the magnetic nature of steel. The electrons of zinc just act as a sacrificial cathode by protecting the steel from corrosive electron. However, it does not affect the magnetization of steel.
Some stainlessdo not possess magnetic properties, so if such steel is galvanized, they are not magnetic. Basically, zinc is a non magnetic material but thin coating of it does affect any physical properties of the materials. Now, let us discuss about magnetic properties exhibited by galvanized steel in this post.
Galvanized steel magnetic properties
The magnetic properties of any material depend on its microstructure. Let us discuss about the magnetic properties associated with the galvanized steel.
- The galvanized steel possesses ferromagnetism, if the base steel consists of ferric in its microstructure.
- The galvanized steel is pure non-magnetic, if the base steel has nickel in its microstructure.
- Galvanized steel redirects the magnetic field which causes the electromagnetic cone to widen.
The magnetization of galvanized steel is quite harder because the susceptibility of steel is more compared to iron. The hysteresis loss is also more in galvanized steel but it is comparatively less than the other elements.
Galvanized steel magnetic permeability
The magnetic response of material in the presence of an external magnetic field defines magnetic permeability. Let us focus on magnetic permeability possessed by galvanized steel.
The magnetic permeability of steel varies from 5×10-5 to 2.610-3 H/m depending on percentage of other element present in the composition of steel. Since zinc does not interfere the magnetic strength of the steel, the magnetic permeability does not change with galvanization.
If carbon steel is galvanized, its magnetic permeability is 1.26×10-4 H/m and martensitic stainless steel is galvanized, its permeability is 9.42×10-4 H/m to 1.19×10-3 H/m which are the value of permeability of normal carbon steel and martensitic stainless steel before galvanization.
Is painted galvanized steel magnetic?
Galvanized steel are generally painted with acrylic paint to reduce the corrosion. Let us find whether painted galvanized ha magnetic characteristics or not.
The painted galvanized steel is magnetic and only changes the physical appearance of the galvanized steel because magnetism is a property that cannot be insulated by changing the physical appearance.
Sometimes, galvanized steel rusts even though is painted, the paint does not adhere much on the galvanized steel. It often peeled or shed with time because zinc always rejects the paint. The zinc layer also gradually vanishes causing rust. The rust can affect the magnetism of the galvanized steel.
Conclusion
Let us wrap up this post by stating that “the magnetism of the galvanized steel depends on the type of the steel.” If the steel itself non-magnetic, the galvanized steel also a non-magnetic. However, most of the galvanized steels exhibit magnetism as most of the steel consists of ferric atoms are magnetic.
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I am Keerthi K Murthy, I have completed post graduation in Physics, with the specialization in the field of solid state physics. I have always consider physics as a fundamental subject which is connected to our daily life. Being a science student I enjoy exploring new things in physics. As a writer my goal is to reach the readers with the simplified manner through my articles.
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