Sewing needles are small equipment in a sewing machine. These small parts are essential despite their sizes. In ancient times, people used wooden or bone. But today, most people use steel needles for sewing or their sewing machine.
You might notice that your sewing needle works like a magnet. But the magnetic behavior of the needle isn’t always noticeable.
So, you might be confused about whether sewing needles are magnetic or not. In this article, we will try to tell you about the magnetic behavior of sewing needles.
Are sewing needles magnetic?
Sewing needles aren’t magnetic, but they are ferromagnetic. When you buy the needle or idly put it in a non-magnetic place, it won’t show magnetism. But when you rub it with a magnet, it will act as a magnet. Some steels have this ferromagnetism, and sewing needles are of that kind of steel.
Ferromagnetic materials are one kind of permanent magnet. Sewing needles are one of them. For example, we can say that every atom of the needle is a magnet.
When you put it idly, the position of the tiny magnets is not in the same direction. So, the needle doesn’t show any magnetism.
But when it comes to a strong magnetic field, or you rub it with a magnet, the atom’s position comes in the same direction. The overall atoms’ order acts like a magnet. Then the needle acts as a magnet.
What metal are sewing needles made of?
Generally, sewing needles are made of high carbon steel. High carbon steel means the carbon percentage is relatively high (up to 1.50%) in iron metal. Sometimes, the manufacturer adds chromium to make it stainless steel.
Moreover, nickel might be added to increase the better property of the steel. Generally, chromium or nickel is used as a coating. Sometimes the manufacturers use gold and silver as a coating over the steel of the needles.
Coatings can be of different materials according to the function of the needle. But most sewing needles are made of high carbon steel.
In ancient times, people used wood or bone-made needles for sewing. But day by day, people tried to use more feasible materials for needles. Iron and steel are two common metals for needles. The alloys of iron, steel, nickel, chromium, etc., gained popularity over time.
How do you tell if a needle is magnetized?
You can tell whether a needle is magnetized or not by a simple process. Most needles show ferromagnetic behavior. Needles come of high carbon steel or stainless steel. When needles come closer to a strong magnetic field, they act as magnets.
You can rub the needle with a magnet to see whether it is magnetized or not. If you use a strong magnetic material, five or six times rubbing is enough.
But if you use a weaker magnet, rub it some more times. After rubbing, place the needle close to the magnetic material without touching it. You will see the attraction between the needle and the magnet.
This process shows that the needle is magnetized. So this ferromagnetic behavior is typical in needles and stainless steel materials.
When the needle comes to a strong magnet, the needle and the magnet can also repel each other. The reason is that the magnetic materials attract or repel each other. If the polar position of the magnets is in the same direction, they will repel each other.
What would cause a needle to become magnetized?
A needle will become magnetized when it comes to a strong magnet or when you rub it with a magnet. Ferromagnetism is the special force responsible for a needle to become magnetized.
Different types of magnets are available in this world. But for a needle to become magnetized, the needle should be a permanent magnet or ferromagnetic. That means if there is any magnetic force around the ferromagnetic element, it will become magnetized.
For example, if you rub a magnet with a needle couple of times, it will attract or repel the magnet. If you put a strong magnet close to a needle, the needle will attract or repel the magnet.
Here you can notice that whether the needle is steel made or not. Because a lot of metal doesn’t attract magnets. Only iron and iron-made substrates, for example, stainless steels, high carbon steels, etc., will attract the magnet. Then the needle will become magnetized.
A needle will also show some magnetism if you rub it with hair, silk or animal fur, etc. Because by rubbing it with hair or silk, some magnetic force creates between them.
So, you can say that if a needle is an iron or steel made and it comes to a magnetic force, then it will become magnetized.
How can you magnetize a needle without a magnet?
Magnet is a vital element for magnetizing any magnetic or ferromagnetic material. We know that by rubbing a needle with a magnet, it will become magnetized. But you can also magnetize a needle with some other ways.
For example, you can rub a needle with human hair, animal fur, or silk. Then the needle will show some magnetism.
It will attract or repel magnetic force. You can notice the strength while sewing any silk cloth. If you sew any silk cloth with a stainless steel needle, it will create magnetism in it.
Another way is to tap a steel or iron bar or object to the end of the needle. For magnetizing this way, you have to tap the iron or steel at least 50/60 times.
How do you find a lost sewing needle?
Needles are pretty small equipment and brutal to find when they are lost. You can be strategic to find a lost needle easily. Let’s see some techniques you can use to find a needle.
- Needles are ferromagnetic materials, so you can use a magnet to attract a needle towards them.
- You can use a vacuum cleaner to find a lost needle.
- You can use a metal detector to find a needle.
Sewing needles are essential for sewing in both machine sewing and hand sewing. But often, the needle is magnetized. You might don’t know the reason, but needles are magnetic materials. Though needles are not magnets themselves, they can be magnetized.
Steel and iron-based needles are the most common and most used. So, if you find your needle, you can easily find it with a magnet.