I just learned that zinc is magnetic

[renaelock]

So, I tested my cage...it's magnetic. But it's powder coated. Do I need to be worried. There will be a sun conure in it someday in the future. :s It's such a nice cage, why do some makers have to be so cheap!!?!

[SisterBlue]

Are you saying that you know your cage is zinc? Or that because it's magnetic you're assuming it's zinc? Iron is magnetic, as well as other metals, so I'm not quite sure I understand what the issue is. What is the make and model of the cage? Where was it purchased?

-SB

[Buteo]

I would hope it's not that material....
Zinc is toxic to birds.

There are some rare earth magnetic materials,
but when you're talking about magnetic metals, then it's either Iron/Steel, Nickle or Cobalt.

My guess would be some grade of Steel - I don't think it's either of the latter two;

I don't know of any manufacturers making any products of pure Nickle- it's expensive & usually used as a plate coating over other metals.....
and I highly doubt it's Cobalt as that metal is slightly radioactive ...

[Valo's Moirana]

Originally Posted by Buteo

I would hope it's not that material....
Zinc is toxic to birds.

There are some rare earth magnetic materials,
but when you're talking about magnetic metals, then it's either Iron/Steel, Nickle or Cobalt.

My guess would be some grade of Steel - I don't think it's either of the latter two;

I don't know of any manufacturers making any products of pure Nickle- it's expensive & usually used as a plate coating over other metals.....
and I highly doubt it's Cobalt as that metal is slightly radioactive ...

yip.... generally, cages are made of steel, and since it's usually not stainless, which doesn't rust, the powder coating is applied to avoid oxidation (aka rust).
the powder coating is less than a millimeter thick... and more like in the range of 50-200 micrometers... it'a mixture of metal particles and a polymer matrix, which is sprayed onto the cage and then cured (the polymer crosslinks, making the coating one big molecule with metal particles incorporated).
so, when you say your cage is magnetic, you're porbably getting the response from the steel underneath the coating. the coating can (!) contain heavy metals, but those are toxic.. i did test my cages, and the coating is predominantly carbon, oxygen (those 2 are from the powder coating polymer matrix), and iron, some magnesium and other metals and metal oxides... very little lead and zinc

sooo.... did i offer some info here?! just realized i was just babbling

[renaelock]

You guys make me feel so much better! I was worried for a minute. Blonde me forgot that other metals are also magnetic. My headache can go away now!!! thanks guys!

[ROYJOY]

Only materials that contain iron are attracted to magnatizm. how did you test this? by holding a magnet to it? (meaning it contains iron), or holding a piece of iron to it. (meaning it contains iron and is indeed magnatized) there are iron alloys that contain zinc, and/or many other metals. im sure your cage is iron, or steele (conatains iron), and powder coated. no zinc