Certified Polycarbonate Test Cards

Ferrous / 0.5 mm

$40.00

FAQ - Metal Type: Ferrous

A ferrous test sample contains iron-based metal. Common examples include carbon steel, mild steel, and iron-based alloys.

Ferrous metals produce the strongest signal in a metal detector due to their magnetic and conductive properties. Because they are easier to detect, ferrous test samples are usually the smallest of the three standard categories (Fe, NFe, SS).

Ferrous test samples simulate contamination risks such as:

Broken steel tools or blades
Fasteners, screws, or bolts
Equipment wear debris
Structural metal fragments

These are common risks in processing and packaging environments.

Ferrous metals contain iron and create strong magnetic and conductive signals, making them the easiest for metal detectors to detect. Non-ferrous metals (like aluminum or brass) are harder to detect, and stainless steel is typically the most challenging. That’s why ferrous samples alone aren’t enough to fully validate detector performance.

Not necessarily. Ferrous metal is the easiest to detect, so passing a ferrous test alone doesn’t confirm full system performance. That’s why ferrous samples are used alongside non-ferrous and stainless steel samples to fully validate detection capability.

They can be used across multiple lines as long as the size and format match the requirements for the specific line. However, sensitivity can vary by product type, so many facilities keep dedicated ferrous samples for specific applications or lines.

FAQ - Metal Type: Non-Ferrous

A non-ferrous test sample contains metal that does not include iron, which is not magnetically permeable, meaning it does not stick to magnets. Common examples include aluminum, copper, brass, bronze, silver, and gold. These metals are typically highly conductive, which allows metal detectors to detect them reliably despite their lack of magnetic properties.

Non-ferrous metals are generally harder to detect than ferrous metals, but easier to detect than stainless steel. Because of this, non-ferrous test standards are sized in between ferrous and stainless steel to appropriately challenge the detector and confirm balanced performance across all metal types.

For metal detection, yes. Aluminum is classified as a non-ferrous metal, and certified non-ferrous test standards are designed to represent aluminum contamination. In most metal detector applications, additional aluminum-specific standards are not required unless aluminum is a known or frequent contaminant identified in your risk assessment.

For X-ray inspection systems, aluminum can be more challenging to detect due to its low density, especially when inspecting products with similar density. In these cases, detection capability depends on contaminant size, orientation, and contrast. If aluminum is commonly present in your process; such as from foil, trays, or packaging components, it may be appropriate to include aluminum-specific X-ray test standards to validate real-world performance.

Yes, but typically less than stainless steel. Product effect; caused by moisture, salt, temperature, or mineral content, can still influence non-ferrous detection by masking or distorting the signal. Proper product learning and testing under normal production conditions help ensure consistent non-ferrous detection.

While stainless steel equipment is common, many potential contamination sources; such as aluminum foil, copper wiring, brass fittings, or fragments from tools, are non-ferrous. Testing with non-ferrous standards ensures your detector is capable of identifying these real-world risks, not just the most obvious ones.

Non-ferrous metals are common in processing and packaging environments, often coming from equipment wear, fasteners, or packaging materials. Testing with nonferrous samples helps ensure your detector can catch real-world contamination that isn’t magnetic.

FAQ - Metal Type: Stainless Steel

A stainless steel test sample contains stainless steel (typically 316 grade) which is typically the most difficult metal type for standard metal detectors to detect.

In most metal detector applications, 316 stainless steel test standards are used because they represent one of the most difficult to detect stainless steel grades, making them a conservative and widely accepted choice for validation and audits.

Testing exclusively with 316 generally provides equal or greater confidence in detector performance. That said, if your risk assessment or customer requirements specifically reference 304 stainless steel, it may be appropriate to include 304 stainless steel test standards as part of your verification program.

Stainless steel typically produces a weaker signal in metal detectors. To properly challenge the detector and ensure reliable detection, stainless steel test standards are adopted in larger sizes. Using a larger stainless-steel standard isn’t a compromise; it’s an intentional way to validate that your detector can consistently identify the most difficult to detect metal under real production conditions.

Stainless steel is more difficult to detect because many grades have low magnetic permeability and lower electrical conductivity compared to ferrous and non-ferrous metals. This results in a weaker signal in metal detectors, which is why stainless steel test standards are typically larger. Because stainless steel is common in food processing environments, properly challenging detectors with stainless steel standards is critical.

Yes. Product effect can significantly impact the detection of stainless steel. Products with high moisture, salt content, or temperature; such as fresh meats, cheeses, or processed foods, can create signals that resemble metal, effectively reducing the detector’s sensitivity.

Because stainless steel already produces a relatively weak signal, strong product effect can make detection more challenging. This is why stainless steel test standards are often larger and why testing should be performed with the product running, under normal production conditions. Proper setup and routine verification help ensure reliable detection even in challenging applications.

Passing stainless steel tests provides strong confidence in detector performance, but full validation also depends on proper setup, documentation, and consistent testing across all metal types and products.