Is there a type of powder that can attach to iron objects like a magnet?

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    Iron Magnetic Powder
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of whether a type of powder exists that can attach to iron objects like a magnet, focusing on the properties of magnetic powders and their potential applications. Participants explore theoretical and practical aspects, including the behavior of magnetic materials and the possibility of creating a permanent magnetic field in a drying substance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire if a magnetic powder exists that can adhere to iron objects, contrasting it with iron powder that is attracted to magnets.
  • Concerns are raised about how such a powder would avoid clumping together if it were to stick to iron objects.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of magnetic monopoles, with some asserting they do not exist while others suggest theoretical frameworks that imply their existence.
  • Participants mention that iron filings can be magnetized and can clump together, and they discuss the potential of mixing these filings with Silly Putty to create a magnetically responsive material.
  • A participant proposes the idea of a liquid-glue that can dry to form a permanent magnetic field, questioning the relationship between drying and magnetic properties.
  • There is a request for clarification on whether a ferromagnetic powder can be detected by a Hall effect sensor when spread out, and if such properties can be achieved when mixed with a plastic-liquid.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the existence and properties of magnetic powders and materials. The discussion remains unresolved, with no consensus on the feasibility of creating a powder that adheres to iron objects or the existence of a permanent magnetic field in a drying substance.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in understanding the behavior of magnetic materials, the dependence on definitions of magnetic properties, and the unresolved nature of certain theoretical claims regarding monopoles and magnetic fields.

roineust
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Does any kind of magnetic powder exist?
I mean not iron powder, that is attracted to a magnet but vice versa, a type of powder, that when i take an iron nail or screw and get it close to that powder, the powder will attach itself to that iron object and stay there, for as long as it is not taken off.
 
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If there was, what would keep it from sticking together in a lump?
 
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jerromyjon said:
If there was, what would keep it from sticking together in a lump?
Great answer. But if I were to isolate a single powder particle, then it should also exist as a dipole.
 
If you found a particle that wasn't a dipole, you'd be famous.
 
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M
jerromyjon said:
If you found a particle that wasn't a dipole, you'd be famous.
Magnetic monopoles do not exist.
 
roineust said:
Does any kind of magnetic powder exist?
I mean not iron powder, that is attracted to a magnet but vice versa, a type of powder, that when i take an iron nail or screw and get it close to that powder, the powder will attach itself to that iron object and stay there, for as long as it is not taken off.

You realize that iron filings can be magnetized, I hope. And yes, they do clump up in a blob when individual filings are put close to one another.

You can also add these filings to Silly Putty and mix the two up. It makes a cool magnet-hungry blob, as seen in the video at the attached article:

http://science.wonderhowto.com/insp...tty-into-freakish-magnet-hungry-blob-0128239/
 
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AdityaDev said:
Magnetic monopoles do not exist.
QED theory suggests that they should exist. Just because they haven't been found does not prove they do not exist.
 
SteamKing said:
You realize that iron filings can be magnetized
I debated on mentioning this, almost any magnetic material will retain a residual magnetic charge when removed from a strong field.
SteamKing said:
add these filings to Silly Putty
I'm curious what would happen around a DC current flow.
 
Let me rephrase the question:
Does there exist any kind of liquid-glue that can dry, which after drying has a permanent magnetic field?
 
  • #10
IDK what drying has to do with producing a magnetic field. It seems to me if you can put magnetic powder in Silly Putty, you can do the same with a pot of glue.
 
  • #11
Yes,
But as much as i understood, the magnetic putty has no self magnetic field, it reacts to the magnetic field of a magnet. i am looking for such a kind of putty or rather drying color, which has a measurable self magnetic field after drying. Not the kind of liquid matter that relies on a magnet to react, but liquid-plastic drying matter which has its own magnetic field.
 
  • #12
roineust said:
Yes,
But as much as i understood, the magnetic putty has no self magnetic field, it reacts to the magnetic field of a magnet. i am looking for such kind of putty or rather drying color, which has a measurable self magnetic field after drying. Not the kind of liquid matter that relies on a magnet to react, but matter which has its own magnetic field.

I'm not sure what you are trying to say here.

The Silly Putty in the video demonstration was magnetic due to the powder mixed in it. A bunch of tiny little magnets can create a magnetic field, just not with the same field strength distribution as a big bar magnet can, for example.
 
  • #13
If i take a ferromagnetic powder, such as in the following link and a Hall effect sensor and spread a few grams of the powder, as in drawing with sand on the table, will the Hall effect sensor be able to detect the powder lines?
If the answer is NO, does there exist such a powder or such a plastic-liquid, that does have such properties?
If the answer is YES, is it still yes, if i mix the powder at a certain ratio, with some sort of plastic-liquid?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261141008974?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
 
Last edited:
  • #14
roineust said:
If i take a ferromagnetic powder, such as in the following link and a Hall effect sensor and spread a few grams of the powder, as in drawing with sand on the table, will the Hall effect sensor be able to detect the powder lines?
If the answer is NO, does there exist such a powder or such a plastic-liquid, that does have such properties?
If the answer is YES, is it still yes, if i mix the powder at a certain ratio, with some sort of plastic-liquid?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261141008974?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Beats me. Why don't you get some magnetite powder and do an experiment?
 

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