How stainless steel becomes magnetic

316 stainless steel is typically not a magnetic metal, however, it becomes “work hardened” when the steel is cut, snapped, bent, ground, etc., which results in the stainless steel becoming magnetic. After the steel is work-hardened, it can be collected by magnetic separation equipment.

In this video we demonstrate how work-hardening stainless steel makes it become magnetic and gives you the ability to collect it from your product stream with the use of magnets.

A substantial amount of metal contamination in food processing originates from stainless steel. This happens when processing machinery, which is usually made of stainless steel, gets worn. This can happen in a variety of ways, but whether a piece of equipment snaps off or dust-like magnetic contaminants become introduced to the product from mixers or grinders, the good news is, there is an easy and effective solution to the problem.

Installing magnetic separators ensures that this issue is targeted throughout various points of the food process.

Magnets can be installed upstream of processing equipment with the purpose of equipment protection, so that any damaging magnetic contaminants are collected prior to entering the equipment and causing damage. This solution can not only save you a lot of money on repairs or replacements in the long run, but will also greatly reduce costs associated with shutdowns and product wastage.

Magnetic separators should always be installed as far down the process as possible where product is conducive to effective metal separation. This means that prior to packing, you want to ensure that your product is as metal-free as possible by having a magnet pick up the metal contamination from the final product. Having a strong, good quality magnet, which has optimum product stream coverage and suits the application is crucial!