Magnetize stainless 304

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I made some display pieces for a jewelry store. The owner of the jewelry store would like to be able to stick magnets to one of the displays, just like sticking magnets to a refrigerator door. Problem is, the display piece, made of 5"x1/4" 304 stainless flat bar, is not magnetic enough to hold the magnets. Is there a way to increase the magnetic properties?Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Sandwiching the material between two strong magnets may work, but aside from that, that's what adhesives are for!
Reply:304 is a  Austenitic stainless steel , left alone it is paramagnetic which is pretty well non magnetic , the Nickel in the alloy is the primary cause of this.300 series  can be magnetized by "Cold Working" most common example would be making wire and rod into screws and Bolts.Your solution as Supe pointed out seems to be double sided tape or an adhesive of some type or even Blutac.BrettLast edited by Brett; 01-31-2011 at 04:29 PM.Reason: 4130 Already said it was 304 oppsA good guess is better than a bad measurement
Reply:Do you think some kind of blasting media or shot peening might help?Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:No.If you want to stay with stainless, switch to a 400 series Ferritic grade, like 409.  These will polish up well, and should remain rust free in a climate controlled environment like a jewelry store.409 is a Chromium-Iron alloy.  And it has barely enough Chromium to qualify as stainless.  Since it's still 85-90% iron, it will have better magnetic properties.  Depending on the weight you need to support, it still may not be magnetic enough.  Recommend you test before you invest a lot of time and money in 409 base metal.  If these are high end displays, you might get away with making them from plain carbon steel and then having them Chrome plated or powdercoated.  There are some powder coatings that mimic chrome's lustre.  Coatings will cost, but may solve your problem where stainless base metal just won't work. Originally Posted by fortyonethirtyDo you think some kind of blasting media or shot peening might help?
Reply:I don't know for sure but I doubt it, not all 304 cold worked screws are magnetic and proportional to its mass its getting a lot of work done ,would try peening with one of pneumatic slag removers ? would be interested if you tried and got !BrettA good guess is better than a bad measurement
Reply:Originally Posted by fortyonethirty . . . 304 stainless flat bar, is not magnetic enough to hold the magnets. Is there a way to increase the magnetic properties?