What Materials Do Neodymium Magnets Attract?
Short answer
Neodymium magnets attract ferromagnetic materials: iron, most steels, nickel, cobalt and some of their alloys, plus other magnets. They don’t attract aluminum, copper, brass, bronze, gold, silver, lead, zinc, titanium, wood, plastic or glass. Stainless steel depends on the grade.
What Sticks and What Doesn’t
| Material | Attracted? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Iron and cast iron | Yes | Strongest attraction |
| Carbon and mild steel | Yes | Nails, screws, sheet steel, our Steel Discs |
| Nickel and cobalt | Yes | Weaker than steel |
| Stainless steel 400 series (410, 430) | Yes | Many appliance panels and knives |
| Stainless steel 300 series (304, 316) | Weak or No | Bent or machined areas may stick slightly |
| Galvanized steel | Yes | Zinc coating acts as a small gap |
| Aluminum, copper, brass, bronze | No | Moving magnets do cause eddy-current drag |
| Gold, silver, platinum | No | Useful for spotting fakes |
| Lead, zinc, titanium, tin | No | |
| Wood, plastic, glass, paper | No | Magnets can hold through them to steel or another magnet |
Why Some Metals Stick and Others Don’t
In iron, nickel and cobalt, tiny regions called magnetic domains line up with a nearby magnet, which turns the metal into a temporary magnet that’s pulled toward yours. Most other metals don’t have that structure, so a static magnet has no grip on them.
Distance Matters as Much as Material
Attraction drops off quickly as distance grows. Paint, plastic, wood or an air gap between the magnet and the steel can cut holding power by half or more. See how air gaps affect magnet strength.