Make Ferrofluid

[vitayoko]

TIENE QUE SER AFUERZAS ESA BATERIA

[vitayoko]

WHAT IS THE BATTERY ?

[LalaXiongsterz101]

why did it not work with steel wool i used steel wool from doller store and a battery like that but different, should i use a battery like that or something else

[mcfaen]

Use lasertoner powder and veg oil to make awesome ferrofluid

[JUSTenzoOK]

why it didn't got spikes?

[Allplussomeminus]

The whole time, the audience was like, "oogabooga?" LOL! j/k

[DameinTK]

I can just feel my lungs getting heavier

[shadowth1994]

do you used the burnt steel wool?



[Rannyfash]

33 people do not know how annoying upward inflictions are on accents

[MrErsteschrittemitde]

@Exploratorium Hi

Ive tried to make this out of canola oil & iron powder and a magnet but it dont work. Did i take the wrong oil, or is my magnet too weak?

[Exploratorium]

@MrErsteschrittemitde Your magnet may be too weak. A 1 inch diameter refrigerator magnet at least a quarter inch thick should be able to drag the ferrofluid up the side of a container. Stronger magnets are better. The usual problem is that the particles are too large and do not stay suspended in the fluid.

[keetonbob]

You're gonna be sayin' Ferro-Wow every time ya use it!

[HybridWaterMan2]

Nice demonstration. I have read that toner could be used as well, but I don't know what surfactant to use besides the oil?

[Exploratorium]

@HybridWaterMan2 In oil try it first without the surfactant. I after a few weeks the ferrofluid begins to clump then you will have to experiment to find a surfactant that works with your oil. A good one to try is sold in hardware stores as "Water Glass". Not all toner is magnetic. Make sure you get a toner that contains magnetic particles. MICR toner contains magnetic particles and can be used to make ferrofluid.

[Darkomendamien]

could you use iron filings or is that too big of a particulit

[Exploratorium]

@Darkomendamien The smaller the particle the better the ferrofluid. Iron filings tend to be on the large side, so they make a temporary ferrofluid (aka ferro mud) until the settle out of suspension.

[geekkid34]

will magnaflux leave a reidu like toner

[cugo2go]

Use 50 mL of Ink Jet Toner, 2 Tablespoons of Vegetable Oil, Stir Well, and you have FerroFluid. Simple as that!

[jmastax]

Umm... magnaflux.... magna- flux... flux... is an acid.. and he poured it in his hand

[paola10andrea]

Can I use tonner?

[chubbychinchilla]

its not ink you use it is toner. The higher metallic content the better. If you go to a printer refill store they normal will know about the experiment and will give you the best toner for this experiment.

[1ofthemakers]

what is the thing better than the black sand

[iDriveUCrazy17]

this isn't Ferrofluid. sorry kiddies.

[26magicman26]

could i just like file down a piece of metal and use the metal shavings for this ? as long as the metal is attracted to the magnet ? or will this not work? i have no steel wool, ink, sand, or magnaflux ;(

[Exploratorium]

@26magicman26

A file on iron (not stainess steel but regular steel) will produce particles that can make a ferrofluid.)

The particles will be pretty large and will settle out fast but the the ferrofluid is still cool stuff to play with.

Steel wool is available in most hardware stores cheap.

Paul D

[luishomeroremohsiul]

@26magicman26 dude you can use toner too, much easier

[DanielliJ]

Where can you get MagnaFlux? I searched for it, and it was a company name, not just a product.

[Exploratorium]

@DanielliJ Try your local welding store for magnaflux powder.

[marralis]

or u could just use hp MCR toner and 2 TBSP of vegetable oil and it makes pretty much professional ferro fluid

[Exploratorium]

@marralis Not all toner is magnetic. Make sure you get a toner that contains magnetic particles. MICR toner contains magnetic particles and can be used to make ferrofluid.

[blatv12]

its fake

[godnothing666]

This is not real ferrofluid! Just metal in oil!

[bigangel4251]

I tried it, dont do it! it wont make any spikes!

[realderekbrothers]

depends on the type of magnet u used the best is suposed to be a earth magnet

[SkeithTSOD]

making a true Ferro fluid at home on basic pay while it maybe possible over time just isnt pratical Id rathe rjsut have fun with ferro mud and be happy and still have money very cool vid by the way gave me great info on making myown

[q1kyle25]

it doesn't have to be black sand :|

[IrishJimmyB]

or use toner

[SeeXTheXDay]

or use lazer (or ink i forget) jet toner and olive oil for best ferrofluid

[tomashcu60]

yep

[strikerofear]

ah rubbish, more ferro mud

[TheUberPeople]

Can I Use Iron Filings instead of black sand/magna flux?

[Exploratorium]

@TheUberPeople The iron filings are likely to be too big to make a good ferrofuild. You can try by putting them into oil but the smaller the particle the better for ferrofluid.

[XBONESXx]

yea this is crappy ferrofluid after time the iron would come out

[Exploratorium]

It will not lose magnetizability until it is heated until the iron is almost incandescent all the fluid will have vaporized by that time and you will no longer have ferrofluid. However as soon as the iron cools it will be magnetizable again. So as long as it is a ferrofluid heat will not hurt its magnetic properties. -Paul D

[dovregubben78]

This is not actually ferrofluid. It's more like ferro-mud. A surfactant is required to prevent the mixture from separating.

[Exploratorium]

It is very much ferro mud. True ferro fluids use particles so small that they remain in suspension and do not settle out. The surfactant keeps the small particles from clumping and making larger particles that settle. -Paul D

[dovregubben78]

So, how exactly does one make ferrofluid? ;)

Most of what I've read on the Internet says to use FeCl3 and/or FeCl2. I used up all my FeCl3 etching circuit boards. I just did an experiments electrolyzing steel wool (at the anode) in a solution of table salt. The result of my experiment was black and attracted to a magnet, which leads me to believe it was magnetite.

I tried using lecithin and peanut oil to make my ferrofluid. It didn't really work. I guess I need to acquire some oleic acid.

[Exploratorium]

Hi

Yes the surfactant is important. Oleic acid is a good one.

The magnetic particles made from steel wool are large for long lasting ferrofluid.

Get Some FeCl3 and follow the recipe.

I too etched circuit boards in FeCl3

Paul Doherty

[robotguy4]

Actually, olive oil has oleic acid in it...

[oreowithmilk1]

@dovregubben78 MIX 50 ml of micr toner with 2 tbsp of vegetable oil and it makes ferro fluid like proffesionally. super legit. watch 'household hacker' s video on it.

[BinarySudoku]

So would any emulsifier work to create the fluid?

[mickycheese27]

could you use iron from cereals?

[Exploratorium]

You could use the iron particles from cereal they are a good size, but there are so few particles it is impractical to actually use them. (By the way you want a serial that says 100% of the recommended daily allowance of iron and it should NOT say "contains Iron Sulfate") -Paul D

[mickycheese27]

thanks

[amando96]

toner my friend

[sibi12123]

what do you do with the battery and what kind is it?

[Exploratorium]

On a non-flammable surface, touch both terminals of a 9-volt to steel wool. Don't hold the steel wool in your hand!

This method of starting fire can be used as a survival skill. It's also beautiful to watch - search "steel wool fire"

[mdc2296]

or you can collect the metal particles on the bench under your household benchgrinder

[Exploratorium]

Good idea!

[sibi12123]

thanks!