Magnet - Magnetizing Ferromagnets

Magnetizing Ferromagnets

See also: Remanence

Ferromagnetic materials can be magnetized in the following ways:

  • Heating the object above its Curie temperature, allowing it to cool in a magnetic field and hammering it as it cools. This is the most effective method and is similar to the industrial processes used to create permanent magnets.
  • Placing the item in an external magnetic field will result in the item retaining some of the magnetism on removal. Vibration has been shown to increase the effect. Ferrous materials aligned with the Earth's magnetic field that are subject to vibration (e.g., frame of a conveyor) have been shown to acquire significant residual magnetism.
  • Stroking: An existing magnet is moved from one end of the item to the other repeatedly in the same direction.

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