Info about magnetic foil
NOTE! Magnetic foil cannot be used for magnetic glass boards or for surfaces with very high / low temperatures - read more below.
What is magnetic foil?
Magnetic tape is made of magnetic foil, which is a flexible magnet type with mixed poles. That is there is not a north pole on one side and a south pole on the other, but it can attach with another piece of magnetic tape or other types of magnets. The flexibility means that it can sit on curved surfaces such as cars, radiators and pipes.
In the choice of magnet vs. magnetic foil (e.g. magnetic sheet or magnetic tape), you must make it clear whether strength or flexibility is more important. Because it is a cheap form of magnet to use foil. But a small piece of magnetic foil can usually only just hold itself up and maybe a single piece of paper, while a longer strip will be able to hold a curtain etc. If you search our FAQ on "magnetic tape", you will find a lot of DIY guides.
Material
The foil consists of strontium ferrite and a flexible plastic, which together make a magnetic foil , which acts as a magnet and can thereby make things like pictures and signs magnetic. In addition, the colored magnetic tapes and sheets have a surface of colored PVC.
How strong is magnetic foil?
The strength of magnetic tapes and sheets is measured in strength per cm2. That is how much strength is in each centimeter of the magnetic tape. The larger and longer a piece of magnetic foil, the higher the strength. For example, a magnetic sheet or 2 strips 40 mm. magnetic strips next to each other could easily support a pan, if only the entire bottom of the pan supported against magnetic foil. But you will not be able to hang the same pan on a single strip 40 mm. magnetic tape, as the overall strength is not high enough.
- Our magnetic tapes and sheets without color (dark grey) have a strength of approx. 100 grams per cm2.
- Our colored magnetic tapes and sheets with color have a strength of approx. 80 grams per cm2.
The difference between colored and non-coloured magnetic foil lies in the finishing of the magnetic foil, when the colored coating is applied, as well as the extra weight applied to the foil, which the colored layer provides.
Which side is the strongest?
The dark gray side of all magnetic foil is the strongest. On colored magnetic tape (and magnetic sheet) it is the side that does not have a colored coating. On the raw magnetic tape without colour, it is the flat side without a groove.
There is a difference between the sides, because the magnetic layer is more outer on one side. And on the colored magnetic tape, the colored layer creates even more distance to the magnetic mixture in the flexible plastic, which is why the difference in how magnetic the two sides are becomes a lot bigger on colored magnetic foil.
Strength increase with 2 pieces of magnetic foil
Our magnetic foil is usually 1 mm. in thickness - i.e. a good, strong quality. Individual products may vary in size, but this is highlighted on the product card.
Strength for 1 piece. magnetic foil without colored coating (1 mm.): approx. 100 grams/cm2
Strength for 2 pcs. magnetic foil without colored coating (2x1 mm.): approx. 150 grams/cm2.
When you combine two magnets, you can achieve higher load capacity. This can also be done with two pieces of magnetic sheet or magnetic tape - the strength is increased by approx. 50% However, it is still not much, as the strength is already around 100 grams per cm2. But it can still be important knowledge for one's project if you stand and need to increase the strength, that you can thereby achieve approx. 150 grams per cm2.
However, the best result will always be achieved by choosing a thicker variant, as there is no colored surface or anything else between the two pieces of magnetic foil.
Working temperature & storage
-20° to +85° C
Temperatures below -20°C and above 85° C destroy the structure of the magnetic foil permanently, resulting in loss of magnetism. We therefore do not recommend using magnetic sheets and tapes in places that exceed this temperature range.
Storage of magnets is always best at room temperature. The same applies to the foil. It is also a good idea to have it stored flat - if it is stored rolled up for a long time, it can be difficult to get it completely flat again.
Can it be used outdoors?
Da magnetic foil is made of plastic and ferrite, it does not rust. But the sun's UV rays can eventually destroy the structure, resulting in a loss of magnetism. It is therefore a good idea to replace the magnetic foil once in a while if it is to be hung outdoors (e.g. as an information board).
Can you use other magnets on magnetic foil?
Not all magnets should be used with magnetic foil. It is best to use magnetic foil against another piece of magnetic foil or against metal. You can use neodymium or ferrite magnets on the magnetic foil, but since the magnetism in permanent magnets is so much stronger than that in the magnetic foil, using permanent magnets will damage the magnetic structure of the foil, and over time you will find that the magnetism in the magnetic foil is so poor , that your magnets fall down. This will not happen if you combine magnetic foil with another piece of magnetic foil or with metal.
Can you use magnetic foil for glass boards?
General. magnetic foil is made with ferrite, and ferrite magnets are not strong enough for glass boards. You must instead choose a type of magnetic foil with neodymium shavings in it. But you should know that a neodymium magnetic foil is less flexible and much more expensive than normal. magnetic foil.
How much do I need?
The number of meters needed depends on whether you have to put the magnetic tape on one or two surfaces. That is if you e.g. must hang a sign or curtains, where both parts must be made magnetic with magnetic tape, then you must remember that you must use the total measurement x 2.
In relation to strength requirements, the magnetic foil is often used on metal surfaces such as storage racks or on whiteboards when you need a surface to write on, etc., or if you need to use magnetic printing. And here it is just nice to know that longer pieces provide better magnetic adhesion - i.e. magnetic foil as marking for storage racks works more magnetically, the wider a piece you cut. You can read more about strength at the beginning of this post.
We sell magnetic tape from 1 meter and sheets from 1 piece. You can see the exact minimum specification under each product card.
Which colors are available?
Common to all magnetic foil is the dark gray back. But in addition it is available both with and without colored coating.
Among other things you will find these colors:
- Red
- Yellow
- Green
- Blue
- Black
- White
The colored foil is good for signaling different things or for writing on. We also have a foil with a writable surface where you can use it exactly like a whiteboard when you use whiteboard markers. If, on the other hand, you have to write or draw something that is more permanent, you can write with permanent markers on the general. magnetic foil.
Do you want to test it out first?
We have sales from 1 piece. and 1 meter. We do not take back magnetic strips that have been cut or cut in. So if you are in doubt about product selection, you can start by ordering a single one before placing a larger order. Unused items can of course be returned as long as the packaging is intact and there are no signs of use on the item.
Can I remove the self-adhesive magnetic tape again?
We have put a fairly strong adhesive on our self-adhesive magnetic tape. The first few hours you will be able to take it back down. But after 24 hours, it's stuck pretty well, and after 72 hours, you need to remove it with a hair dryer. If you remove or move the magnetic tape around, air has entered the glue, which can make the self-adhesive no longer work. Therefore, avoid moving the self-adhesive magnetic foil around once it has been stuck on. And remember to give it an evenly distributed and firm pressure all over to make the glue work best.
Can magnetic tape interfere with electronics?
The magnetism in magnetic tape is so low that it does not interfere with electronics. So you don't have to be careful with the use of magnetic tape and magnetic sheets near electrical components such as computers, mobile phones or the like.