Is Hematite Magnetic? Exploring Its Complex Magnetic Behavior
Hematite, also spelled as haematite, is a common Iron Oxide with the formula Fe2O3, widely found in rocks and soils. It occurs naturally in colors ranging from black to steel or silvery-gray, brown to reddish-brown, or red. Hematite is an important ore of iron and is mined extensively. It is electrically conductive, harder than pure iron, and significantly more brittle. In practical terms, hematite is commonly used in various applications such as jewelry, pigments, and industrial purposes.
Addressing the question “is hematite magnetic,” the answer is not straightforward. Pure hematite is not typically magnetic and shows only a weak response to permanent magnets. Pure hematite behaves as an antiferromagnetic material below 250 K (-23°C) and as a canted antiferromagnet or weakly ferromagnetic between the Morin transition and its Néel temperature at 948 K (675°C), above which it becomes paramagnetic.
