Difference Between Magnetic Materials and Non Magnetic Materials

Key Difference – Magnetic Materials vs Non Magnetic Materials
 

The key difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials is that the magnetic materials are attracted to an external magnetic field due to their proper alignment of magnetic domains whereas non-magnetic materials are repelled from an external magnetic field due to their random arrangement of magnetic domains. All matter can be divided into two groups as magnetic materials and non-magnetic materials based on their magnetic properties.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Magnetic Materials
3. What are Non Magnetic Materials
4. Side by Side Comparison – Magnetic Materials vs Non Magnetic Materials in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What are Magnetic Materials?

Magnetic materials are materials having a magnetic domain and are attracted to an external magnetic field. These materials are strongly attracted by magnets. Most of the magnetic materials can be converted into permanent magnets by magnetization. These materials are basically divided into two groups as magnetically hard and soft materials. Magnetically soft materials can be easily magnetized, but their magnetism is temporary. Magnetically hard materials can be magnetized using a strong magnetic field, and their magnetic properties are permanent.

Apart from that, the magnetic materials are divided into several groups based on the magnetic properties.

1. Diamagnetic materials – not attracted by an external magnetic field
2. Paramagnetic materials – attracted by the external magnetic field
3. Ferromagnetic materials – strongly attracted by the external magnetic field
4. Ferrimagnetic materials – the magnetic domains are aligned in opposite directions but the net magnetic moment is not zero
5. Antiferromagnetic materials – the magnetic domains are aligned in opposite directions and the net magnetic moment is zero

Examples for magnetic materials include ferrite (pure iron), neodymium (a rare earth metal), magnetite, hematite (both magnetite and hematite are oxides of iron), cobalt, nickel, iron and their metal alloys, etc.

What are Non Magnetic Materials?

Non-magnetic materials are materials that are not attracted to an external magnetic field. This means non-magnetic materials are not attracted to a permanent magnet. These materials show no or slight response to a magnetic field. That is because the magnetic domains of a non-magnetic material are arranged in a random manner that causes the magnetic moments of these domains to be cancelled out.

The examples of non-magnetic materials include some metals and alloys such as steel, cast iron, alloys of copper and aluminium, etc. And also, polymer materials, wood and glass are also non-magnetic materials. These materials are used to produce parts of some operating systems where no magnetic effect are expected. And also, these materials are used to make the casing of compass and many other things.

What is the Difference Between Magnetic Materials and Non Magnetic Materials?

Summary – Magnetic Materials vs Non Magnetic Materials

Magnetic materials are attracted to permanent magnets while non-magnetic materials are not. The difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials is that the magnetic materials are attracted to an external magnetic field due to their proper alignment of magnetic domains whereas non-magnetic materials are repelled from an external magnetic field due to their random arrangement of magnetic domains.

Reference:

1. Magnetic, Non-Magnetic, Ferromagnetic Materials. Available here 
2. “Nonmagnetic Materials.” The Free Dictionary. Farlex. Available here  
3. Non-Magnetic Materials. Available here  

Image Courtesy:

1.’Horseshoe magnet by Zureks’By Zureks – Own work, (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia  
2.’2754171’by Mimzy (Public Domain) via pixabay