Tungsten rings, also called tungsten carbide rings, are one of the top choices for wedding bands, and for good reason. First, tungsten is superior over other metals when it comes to toughness and durability. Tungsten is one of the hardest substances around, which makes it scratch-resistant. Tungsten rings are also easy to clean and maintain. Plus, tungsten rings are generally more affordable than traditional rings.
Being a relatively new and different alternative to traditional rings made of gold and silver, tungsten rings tend to pique our curiosity. There are many questions, and even myths, surrounding tungsten rings, one of which has something to do with their magnetic properties.
Is tungsten magnetic?
Tungsten, by itself, has a very low susceptibility to magnetism. However, tungsten carbide, which is an alloy of tungsten and carbon, is, in essence, magnetic because the elements in it are susceptible to magnetism.
Then again, tungsten carbide has different grades, with different amounts of binder. This means that to determine whether your tungsten ring is magnetic or not, you have to know the type and amount of each metal that makes up for its composition.
Tungsten rings’ susceptibility to magnetism is a concern for some people because wearing magnetic metals can be dangerous in an MRI. If you need a tungsten ring that is less responsive to magnets, make sure to choose a grade of tungsten carbide that contains a very small amount of binder.
It is best to do research and always consult a reputable seller of tungsten carbide rings to gain correct information about your ring.
Understanding Tungsten’s Magnetic Properties
Pure tungsten metal is paramagnetic, meaning it has an extremely weak attraction to magnets that is undetectable in everyday situations. You could hold a powerful magnet next to a pure tungsten ring and notice no pull whatsoever.
However, tungsten rings are not made from pure tungsten. They are made from tungsten carbide, a compound that includes a small percentage of binding metal – typically nickel or cobalt. It is this binder that determines whether your tungsten ring responds to magnets.
Cobalt vs Nickel Binder: Which is Magnetic?
Cobalt-binder tungsten carbide rings tend to show a slight magnetic response because cobalt is ferromagnetic. These are generally lower-quality rings that may also cause skin irritation.
Nickel-binder tungsten carbide rings have an even weaker magnetic response. Nickel is also ferromagnetic but is used in smaller quantities in quality tungsten rings. The magnetic effect is negligible for everyday purposes.
Tungsten Rings and MRI Safety
If you need an MRI scan, you should remove all metal jewellery, including tungsten rings. While the magnetic response of quality tungsten carbide is minimal, MRI machines use extremely powerful magnets. Removing all metal jewellery is standard medical protocol regardless of the metal type.
The same applies to gold, titanium, and platinum rings – all should be removed before an MRI. This is not unique to tungsten.
How to Test Your Tungsten Ring
To test whether your tungsten ring has significant magnetic properties, hold a strong neodymium magnet near it. A quality tungsten carbide ring with nickel binder should show little to no attraction. If your ring is strongly attracted to magnets, it may contain cobalt binder or other ferromagnetic metals, which could indicate lower quality.
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