----- Original Message -----
From: "Benn" <karhu@california.com>
> Huh? Reaching back into my metalurgy memory banks, I've never heard of
> any non-austinitic stainless or other steel that wasn't magnetic. I'd
> say if a magnet won't stick, you've got typical 18-8 or 300-series
> stainless steel there. It is, I believe, the crystal (grain?) structure
> that determines whether or not a material is magnetic; even some
> stainless steels can have several percent nickel I think and still be
> magnetic because they have a different structure.
> Benn
It's mysterious. ;o)
What seems to be is that it's the nickel in the 300 series stainless that makes
it non-magnetic.
But, when that type of stainless is work hardened, then it can become magnetic.
So I do think you're
right that grain structure has something to do with it as well.
-Aron-
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