Creating a Degausser to Reduce Magnetic Field Strength

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods to reduce the magnetic field strength of a stamped steel component, which is affecting the performance of a nearby sensitive magnetic sensor. Participants explore various degaussing techniques and alternatives, considering both practical and theoretical approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the issue of a stamped steel component generating a magnetic field of up to 2000mGa, which saturates a nearby sensor, making calibration impossible.
  • Another participant suggests that annealing the steel or wrapping it in mu metal may not be feasible due to the component's constraints.
  • A later reply proposes using a solenoid with AC current to decrease magnetization by slowly reducing the current.
  • One participant recommends borrowing a degausser from a TV repair shop or contacting a data security business for a larger degausser suitable for bulk magnetic media erasure.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various methods for degaussing, but there is no consensus on the best approach, and some options are deemed impractical due to the component's constraints.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations regarding the modification of the component, which may affect the applicability of certain suggestions like annealing or using mu metal.

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I have a component made of some sort of stamped steel which has a significant magnetic field (upto 2000mGa) which I need to use near a sensitive magnetic sensor. The field is high enough to saturate the sensor so I can't calibrate it out.

Does anyone have any idea about degaussing?
I tried a tape eraser we had but it didn't do anything.
I thought of making one, by wrapping a coil around the part - but I have no idea of what kind of field strength or frequency to use.
 
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I guess getting the steel annealed and/or wrapping it in a mu metal is out of the question?

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
I guess getting the steel annealed and/or wrapping it in a mu metal is out of the question?
Yes, unfortunately it's part of a component that we can't change.
 
Put it in a solenoid with AC current. Then slowly decreasing the current should decrease the magnetization.
 
Go to an old-fashioned TV repair shop and borrow a degausser, or contact a data security business. They may have large degaussers suitable for bulk erasure of magnetic media.
 

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