What are the properties of ferromagnetic powder?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of ferromagnetic powder, specifically its magnetic characteristics, interactions with non-magnetic metals, and potential applications in ferromagnetic liquids. Participants explore various questions regarding the detectability of magnetic fields, the behavior of ferromagnetic powder in the absence of solid magnets, and the feasibility of using ferromagnetic materials in paints.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether ferromagnetic powder has its own magnetic field without the presence of a solid magnet and seeks to understand the expected field strength and detectability.
  • Another participant suggests that ferromagnetic powder, once magnetized, can maintain its own magnetic field, drawing a parallel to recording tapes.
  • A participant expresses interest in conducting experiments to determine if the effects of ferromagnetic powder are detectable at a distance using DIY equipment, while also questioning the need for more complex setups.
  • One contributor mentions the existence of electrically conductive paint and speculates on the potential for ferromagnetic particles to be used similarly, highlighting practical applications in security systems.
  • A later reply distinguishes between soft and hard magnetic materials, explaining their different behaviors regarding magnetization and demagnetization.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and knowledge about ferromagnetic powder and its properties. There is no consensus on the specific questions raised, and multiple viewpoints regarding the behavior and applications of ferromagnetic materials are presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations in their understanding of electronics and mathematics, which may affect their ability to fully grasp the implications of their inquiries. The discussion also reflects uncertainty about the detectability of magnetic fields at certain distances and the existence of specific ferromagnetic paint products.

roineust
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Hello!

I am trying to understand a few properties of the ferromagnetic powder.I could not get the answers to these questions on the web, since any kind of phrasing i used, popped up search results that related to iron powder or ferromagnetic powder, which are manipulated and shape-shift using solid magnets.On the other hand, i am interested only in the ferromagnetic powder properties, in other words:1. Does the ferromagnetic powder have a magnetic field of its own, without a solid magnet being in its vicinity? If it does, what field strength should i expect? Would it be detectable?2. Will a simple non-magnetic metal (that is usually attracted to a solid magnet) be able to attract some ferromagnetic powder on it, if it is dipped in the powder, when there is no solid magnet in its vicinity?3. If i make a ferromagnetic liquid, by mixing it with some kind of paint (there are many videos that demo this on the web), will a non-magnetic metal of the kind mentioned above, attract that ferromagnetic paint to it?4. If the answer to the above questions is no (and also if the answer is yes), if i hold a magnet above the ferromagnetic liquid-paint and leave the magnet above that paint spot until it dries, will the dried paint spot then still not have a detectable magnetic field of its own?Any layman and simple scientific answers or links, coupled with pictures and videos, will be more than welcome!

As mentioned above, i could find only answers that relate to the effects taking place in the vicinity of solid magnets, which is not what i am asking about!Thanks a lot!
 
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I'm confused. Isn't ferromagnetic powder essentially what recording tapes are made of? If so, then it does maintain it's own field once magnetized.
 
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Yeah Danger,
I can safely say that your comment sounds reasonable!

Anyway i am going to make some experiments. The problem is that i'd rather like to try to understand in advance from common knowledge (so to speak), if the effects are at a scale which is detectable at a distance of 0.5-2 cm with a Hall effect sensor DIY Arduino play around equipment or is much more physical contact (as in tapes), chemical engineering and sensitive electronics, involved in getting the ability to detect such a hypothetical paint. Or does such paint product already exist?
 
I'm afraid that anything involving electronics or math is beyond my understanding. I can say, though, from my career in the security business, that electrically conductive paint has existed for decades and is used instead of foil in some window-breakage sensor applications. In fact, one main reason is that it can be made as transparent as the glass that it's painted onto. I see no reason why ferromagnetic particles couldn't be used in place of strictly conductive ones.
 
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There are two varieties of magnetic particles, soft and hard. Soft materials become demagnetized when an applied field is removed. These materials are great for making inductors and transformers.

Hard magnetic materials can be permanently magnetized by a sufficiently strong field. Magnets are made from these materials, including refrigerator magnets, which are made of bound particles :-)
 
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