You might ask, is tungsten magnetic? Pure tungsten does not act very magnetic. It is only a little attracted to magnets because it is paramagnetic. Many people think tungsten rings or tungsten carbide are always magnetic, but this is not correct.
- People often think tungsten and tungsten carbide are always magnetic.
- Some believe all tungsten carbide rings are magnetic no matter what.
- The part binder metals like cobalt or iron play in alloys is often ignored.
- Industrial users wonder if tungsten parts will mess with electronics or medical devices.
Tungsten alloys can behave differently. If you notice weak magnetism in a tungsten item, the alloy probably has metals like iron or cobalt. You will see that temperature and mix change how magnetic these things can be.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Pure tungsten is only a little bit magnetic. It does not stick to magnets like iron or cobalt.
- Tungsten carbide is not magnetic. If you add cobalt as a binder, it becomes magnetic. Nickel does not make it magnetic.
- Most tungsten rings and tools do not stick to magnets. They only do if they have metals like cobalt or iron.
- Tungsten’s weak magnetism makes it safe near electronics and medical devices. But alloys with cobalt should not be used in sensitive places.
- Always check what metals are mixed in tungsten products. This is important if you need them to be non-magnetic, especially for jewelry or industrial use.
Magnetism Basics
Types of Magnetism
Not all metals act the same with magnets. Scientists have special words for how metals react. The table below lists the main types of magnetism and explains them:
| Type of Magnetism | Definition | Examples / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Diamagnetism | All matter is pushed away a little by magnets. In magnetic materials, attraction is stronger than this push. | This happens in all materials. |
| Paramagnetism | Weakly pulled to a magnet; this goes away when the magnet is gone. | Aluminum, oxygen, iron oxide (FeO), titanium. |
| Ferromagnetism | Strongly pulled to magnets; can become magnets themselves. They lose this if they get too hot. | Iron, cobalt, nickel, their alloys, some rare earth compounds. |
| Ferrimagnetism | Magnetic parts line up in opposite ways but not equally, so there is still magnetism. They lose it if too hot. | Magnetite (lodestone, Fe3O4). |
| Antiferromagnetism | Neighboring ions line up in opposite ways, so magnetism cancels out at low temperatures. Above a certain temperature, they are weakly magnetic. | Manganese oxide (MnO), pure neodymium. |
Iron is very magnetic, but tungsten is only a little magnetic. Tungsten is called paramagnetic, so it does not stick to magnets like iron.
Measuring Magnetism
You might ask how scientists check how magnetic metals are. In labs, they often use the Gouy method. Here is what happens:
- A sample goes in a glass tube and hangs in a magnetic field.
- When the magnet is on, the sample’s weight changes a tiny bit.
- Scientists use a very sensitive scale to measure this change.
- They use math to find out how much the sample reacts to the magnet.
- They fix the numbers for the tube and air, and use known samples to make sure the test is right.
Today, many labs use special machines called SQUID magnetometers. These can find very small changes in magnetism, even when it is very cold. Quick tests can also be done with magnetic susceptibility meters, which are helpful in geology.
Tip: If you want to see if your tungsten ring is magnetic, try a fridge magnet. Scientists use special tools for more exact answers.
Is tungsten magnetic
Paramagnetic Properties
You might ask if tungsten is magnetic. The answer depends on what “magnetic” means. Pure tungsten does not act like iron or cobalt. Scientists say tungsten is paramagnetic. This means it is only a little attracted to magnets. If you put a strong magnet near tungsten, it will not stick or move much.
Tungsten is paramagnetic because of its atoms. The atoms do not line up to make strong magnetism. Only metals like iron, cobalt, and nickel can be permanent magnets. Tungsten cannot do this. Its atoms do not line up in the crystal structure. This keeps tungsten from being ferromagnetic. So, tungsten only reacts a little to magnets.
You can measure how weak this is by looking at magnetic susceptibility. At room temperature, pure tungsten has a magnetic susceptibility between +1.3 and +1.8 × 10⁻⁵ cm³/mol. This number is very small. You can also measure by mass, which is about +6.8 × 10⁻⁶ emu/g. These numbers show tungsten is only a little attracted to magnets. It does not keep magnetism when the magnet is gone.
Note: Most people will think tungsten is not magnetic. You will not see it stick or pull with a regular magnet.
Comparison to Other Metals
If you compare tungsten to other metals, you see big differences. Iron, nickel, and cobalt are ferromagnetic. They are strongly attracted to magnets. They can even become magnets themselves. These metals have high magnetic susceptibility. They can keep magnetism after you remove the magnet.
Tungsten does not act like these metals. It is paramagnetic, so it only shows a weak and short attraction to magnets. Tungsten will not become a magnet or stick to your fridge like iron. The difference is because of how the atoms line up. In iron, nickel, and cobalt, the atoms line up and make strong magnetism. In tungsten, the atoms do not line up, so the magnetism is much weaker.
Here is a table to help you compare the magnetic response of tungsten and some other metals:
| Metal | Type of Magnetism | Magnetic Susceptibility (approx.) | Can Become a Magnet? | Everyday Magnetic? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | Ferromagnetic | Very high | Yes | Yes |
| Nickel | Ferromagnetic | High | Yes | Yes |
| Cobalt | Ferromagnetic | High | Yes | Yes |
| Tungsten | Paramagnetic | Very low (+1.3 to +1.8 × 10⁻⁵ cm³/mol) | No | No |
| Aluminum | Paramagnetic | Low | No | No |
| Copper | Diamagnetic | Very low (negative) | No | No |
You can see tungsten is much less magnetic than iron, nickel, or cobalt. In daily life, tungsten rings or tools will not stick to magnets or become magnets. This makes tungsten good for things where you do not want magnets to mess things up, like in electronics or airplanes.
Tip: If you try a magnet on a tungsten ring and feel nothing, you are seeing its weak paramagnetic property.
Tungsten Alloys
Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten carbide is used in many rings and tools. It is made from tungsten and carbon mixed together. Tungsten carbide alone is not magnetic. But its magnetism changes if a binder metal is added. Most companies use cobalt or nickel as the binder. If cobalt is used, the tungsten carbide becomes magnetic. This is because cobalt is a ferromagnetic metal. If nickel is used, the tungsten carbide does not become magnetic. This happens because tungsten atoms change how nickel’s electrons spin. The magnetic moments cancel each other out.
Note: If your tungsten carbide ring sticks to a magnet, it probably has cobalt. If it does not stick, it likely has nickel.
How tungsten carbide is made can also change its magnetism. Sometimes, small bits of magnetic impurities or the way it is made can matter. Always ask the maker if you need a ring or tool that is not magnetic.
Alloy Effects
There are many kinds of tungsten alloys. The most common ones are tungsten nickel iron and tungsten nickel copper. The binder metal decides if the alloy is magnetic.
- Tungsten nickel iron alloys have iron, so they are magnetic.
- Tungsten nickel copper alloys have copper, so they are not magnetic.
- Pure tungsten is not magnetic.
- Do not use magnetic tungsten alloys near MRI machines or electronics.
- Non-magnetic tungsten alloys are safer for these places.
The microstructure of tungsten alloys is also important. The size and spread of tiny particles inside the alloy can change its magnetism. If the particles are small and spread out, the alloy may act differently. Heating or cooling the alloy can change the microstructure and how magnetic it is.
Magnetic properties can help check tungsten alloys during making. Magnetism does not change how easy it is to machine the alloy. But it can show if the mix and structure are correct.
Tungsten in Everyday Use
Rings and Jewelry
You might ask if tungsten rings are magnetic. Most tungsten rings do not stick to magnets. Pure tungsten is not magnetic, so a fridge magnet will not pull it. Tungsten carbide rings are also not very magnetic unless they have binder metals. If a ring has cobalt as a binder, it will be magnetic. More cobalt means the ring is more magnetic. Nickel binders make the ring less magnetic or not magnetic at all. Iron binders can add some magnetism, but not as much as cobalt.
Here is a table that shows how different things change the magnetism of tungsten rings:
| Factor | Effect on Magnetic Properties |
|---|---|
| Pure Tungsten | Not magnetic or only a little; does not stick to magnets. |
| Tungsten Carbide | Not magnetic because of strong tungsten-carbon bonds; does not attract magnets. |
| Cobalt Binder (6-30%) | Very magnetic; more cobalt makes the ring more magnetic. |
| Nickel Binder | A little magnetic but weaker than cobalt; can make tungsten carbide rings not magnetic. |
| Iron Binder | A little magnetic but less than cobalt; does not make rings very magnetic. |
| Manufacturing Process | Making the ring or mixing in other metals can change how magnetic it is. |
If you want a ring that is safe for places with sensitive equipment, pick one with nickel or no binder. Tungsten and titanium rings are popular because they do not mess with magnetic devices. You can wear these rings every day without worrying about magnets.
Tip: Ask your jeweler what binder metal is in your tungsten ring if you need it to be not magnetic.
Industrial Applications
Tungsten is used in many industries. It is strong and does not melt easily, so it works well in aerospace and electronics. Tungsten is paramagnetic, so it is only a little magnetic. This means it does not mess up electronic devices or sensors. Companies use tungsten in light bulbs, computer chips, and airplane parts. Its weak magnetism does not cause problems.
Some tungsten alloys are made to be magnetic. Tungsten-cobalt steel is used for tools like drills and cutters. The magnetism helps in making these tools. Non-magnetic tungsten alloys are picked to protect sensitive electronics. These alloys keep devices safe from magnets.
When recycling tungsten alloys, magnetism helps sort the metals. Alloys with cobalt are easier to separate with magnets. This makes recycling faster and better.
Note: In MRI rooms, you must take off all metal jewelry, even tungsten rings. Pure tungsten carbide or rings with nickel are usually safe, but rings with cobalt can be risky. Always tell the MRI worker about any metal you wear.
You have learned that pure tungsten is only a little magnetic. Most tungsten rings and products do not stick to magnets. Some tungsten carbide alloys can be magnetic, especially if they have cobalt. You should think about magnetism in these cases:
- You use tungsten tools or parts in airplanes, where magnets can cause trouble.
- You need to block magnetic fields for electronics.
- You wear tungsten rings close to medical or electronic devices.
Always check what metals are mixed in if you want something that is not magnetic.
FAQ
Is tungsten magnetic enough to stick to a fridge magnet?
Tungsten will not stick to a fridge magnet. Pure tungsten is only a little magnetic. You might feel a small pull with strong lab magnets.
Do tungsten rings set off metal detectors?
Most tungsten rings do not set off metal detectors. These rings are not very magnetic. Rings with cobalt might make some detectors beep.
Can you wear tungsten jewelry during an MRI scan?
Take off all jewelry before an MRI scan. Most tungsten rings are safe because they are not magnetic. Rings with cobalt could react, so ask your doctor first.
Why do some tungsten carbide rings feel magnetic?
Some tungsten carbide rings feel magnetic if they have cobalt. Cobalt is a metal that is strongly magnetic. Rings with nickel usually do not feel magnetic.
What makes tungsten useful in electronics?
Tungsten is used in electronics because it does not mess with magnets. Its weak magnetism helps keep devices safe from magnetic problems.