Stainless 304 / 316 magnetic ???

[Mechy]

Austenitic Stainless Steel-- Magnetic ????

Stainless 304 or 316 is non magnetic. But if you put a magnet on a valve body or fitting of the above materials, the magnet sticks to it (although with less force than carbon steel). Also, if you try to stick the magnet on a straight length of pipe of the above materials it does not stick to it at all.

Could this (magnetic nature of 304/ 316 fittings/ valves) be because of the forging (?) process. Can anyone shed light on it ???

 

[Carburize]

Yes - 304 and 316 can be magnetic - go into the search field on this page and type in "304 magnetic" and you will see a number of threads already on this topic.

 

[hacksaw]

a commonly repeated question, and one repeatedly answered.

yes it is magnetic under suitable conditions.

 

[mcguire]

If the valve body is cast, then it will have a lot of ferrite and be somewhat magnetic. Wrought 304 or 316 usually only shows ferro-magnetic response when it has been cold worked or welded.

 

[TEV]

Check the following threads:

thread330-53777

thread330-35718