What Metal can not Be Detected by a Metal Detector

A metal detector is an electromagnetic device that can detect the presence of a metallic object nearby. It can detect a metallic object but cannot imagine it. But, a metal detector can not detect all metal. The detection depends on the metal size, type and other properties.

In this writing, we will talk about the full working procedure of a metal detector. Let’s have a look.

Before going to main part of this content, lets learn about a metal detector a bit.

Some Basic Knowledge about A Metal Detector:

Metal detector comes with a variety of models like a hand-held, vehicle-mounted, Door Frames, and walk-through. A metal detector is used for searching hidden metal objects at different places like entrances of schools, airports, courthouses, and exceptional security offices.

It is also used to hunt for archaeological artifacts, landmines, and other valuable things. Detecting metal is a fun activity for people who are curious and love to find treasure with the detector. All ages of people interested in hunting treasure with a metal detector: if you decide to buy the best metal detector for kids, you have to know what is better suited for kids or teens.

The Working Procedure Of A Metal Detector:

A metal detector can detect metal or metallic objects depending on their sensitivity and ability to search. It cannot detect every kind of metal. How small the pieces of metal or what kinds of metal mainly depend on its sensitivity. There are different types of metal, such as ferrous, non-ferrous, aluminum, or stainless steel. The higher the sensor used in the detector, the smaller piece it can detect.

Two types of metal and its detection:

A detector can detect many types of metal. There are two types of metallic objects: Ferrous and non-ferrous. Metal that is attracted by magnets is called Ferrous metal. It is easy to find ferrous metal with a detector for its attracting magnetic power. Although those metals are rush after exposure to air and water, they are easier to find because of their magnetism. Staples, pins, silver coins, and screws are examples of ferrous metal.

On the other hand, metals that don’t have magnetic power is a non-ferrous metal. Non-ferrous metals are copper, aluminum, tin, nickel, bronze, brass, and lead. So, with magnetic detection technique, we can not detect it.

 Metal Detector Can not Detect All metal – why?

A detector assists you in finding the presence of any metal in that area. Now, some detectors assist you in tracing metal, even those are hidden under the ground. The machine works on electromagnetism, and that why it’s not always easy to find every metallic object in selected areas.

Non-electromagnetism capabilities:

Most detectors cannot detect any material with non-electromagnetism capabilities ( also called paramagnetic). This is also applicable for materials that have a little or non-electrical conductivity.

Size and Position Of the metal:

Sometimes a detector cannot detect a metal that has conductivity, if it is extra small in size. If the metallic object is too deep in the soil, it becomes difficult for the device to detect it. Generally, this machine can detect within a foot underway the ground. If the device is costly and good in quality, then it can search from one foot to two foots deep in the ground.

When you think of purchasing a more expensive and advanced detector, this may able to detect much deeper and perfectly.

Below Are Some Items That A Metal Detector Cannot Detect: 

• Pearls, Diamonds.
• Stone figurines.
• Bones.
• Paper.
• Gemstones.

Liquid, Glass, and Plastic also cannot be detected by this device.

Stainless steel:It isn’t easy to detect stainless steel with a metal detector. The main reason for not detecting stainless steel with the detector is its poor electrical conductivity. Stainless steel has a little or non-magnetic permeability, so that it doesn’t produce a strong signal. A metal detector cannot detect gemstones properly.

Gold and Diamonds:This device cannot detect precious, semi-precious stones and diamonds unless you change its setting. Sometimes, the same indicator can not work for for gold and diamonds.

The most ordinary of those being chromium garnets, black picroilmenite, glassy green olivine, and magnetite. Both garnet and magnetite are minerals that are excellent indicators for gold.

In some cases, you are looking for gold, and there is probably something of diamonds nearby. In many cases, the crystals of garnet turn out to be valued. If someone particularly looks for authentic gold and diamonds, then use a special metal detector specially equipped for finding them. 

Last Words

Apart from not detecting certain types of items, metal detectors may not detect metallic objects under certain conditions. Metal detectors can easily detect metallic objects in sand, water, or soil, but some metallic things cannot see with high-frequency sensors.

Moreover, metals can be easily detected by detectors when they are large.But, if they are small and they have a much lower frequency or not, it has less possibility to detect. Therefore, every metallic object can not be detected by a detector every time. It can work based on various aspects, including its electromagnetic and magnetic properties.