Re: [Harp-L] Magnetic properties of stainless steels

[Zombor Kovacs <zrkovacs@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi!

Just a little correction. According to what I learned at university (I am also a 
mechanical engineer) we cannot speak about molecules in steel. Molecules are 
elecrically not conductive groups of atoms held together by covalent bonds. This 
is not really the case in steel. 
In steel there are atoms, and different alloying metal components.  Depending on 
heat treatment method, they form different crystal structures. Magnetism is 
somehow related to crystal structure as far as I understood, some alloys are 
magnetic (even stainless) some are not. It depends on alloying percentages and 
types of alloys as well.
Also stainless is not famous for its high carbon content, but for it's high 
alloy content (chromium, nickel, vanadium, tungsten etc.). Cast iron is famous 
for it's high carbon content (and of course carbon-steel, or eg. martensitic 
steel).

But to answer the question regarding the 1847, yes the reeds respond to 
magnetism up to some degree. Not as much as carbon steel perhaps, but definitely 
noticable. So if somebody wants to do some magnetic tricks, make pickups and 
amplify the 1847 like a guitar, it should not be impossible in theory. 

cheers
Zombor

www.zomborkovacs.atw.hu




----- Original Message ----
From: steve warner <10reedsbent@xxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wed, October 27, 2010 9:42:12 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Magnetic properties of stainless steels

I remember in metallurgy class 30 years ago that 400 series stainless is
magetic due to how the molecules are coagulated.   In stainless the
molecules glob together in very high numbers as apposed to mild etc.. steel,
so when they do this the neg and pos get so mixed up that there is very
little pull in the magnetic process because they essentiallty cancel each
other out.  In steel the molecules clump together in very limited numbers
which allows for the turning of the molecules to induce magnetism.
That's why high tensil steel usually gets a sharper edge than stainless
because big clumps of molecules break off (smaller than the eye can see)
which makes for a rough edge.
Stainless has very very high carbon, so that has nothing to do with how much
magnetism it actually has.

On Wed, Oct 27, 2010 at 4:45 AM, Aongus Mac Cana <amaccana@xxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> As a retired mechanical engineer, I guess I should be up to speed on the
> chemistry and metallurgy of the various stainless steels, but I am not.
> I am glad to say that (as usual) some of the cognoscenti on this list have
> already been able to fill in some of the gaps in my education.
> I remember the time - about fifty years ago - when stainless steel kitchen
> sinks were the latest "must have" It was quickly discovered that there was
> "stainless steel and stainless steel". Some of the allegedly stainless
> sinks
> could develop rust marks. In those days the test recommended for would be
> purchasers was to apply a magnet to the sink. If the magnet stuck to the
> steel it was thumbs down.
> I never thought of applying this test to the reeds of my Seydel 1847. I
> might get around to it if I ever have occasion to take the cover plates
> off.
> Beannachtaí
> Aongus Mac Cana
>



-- 
steve
www.myspace.com/thunderharpmics