Classic Computer Magazine Archive COMPUTE! ISSUE 54 / NOVEMBER 1984 / PAGE 10

Protecting Disks

I am planning to put some floppy disks into a safety deposit box and there is the possibility of some magnetized objects being in the box, too. Is there anything that I could store these disks in that would protect them from magnetism?

Bubba Woods

A magnetic field can penetrate wood, glass, plastic, aluminum, and most other nonferrous materials. However, magnetism cannot penetrate steel, iron, nickel, or cobalt (metals which are attracted to a magnet). Since nickel and cobalt boxes aren't widely available, simply find a small steel box in which to store your disks. However, if the magnetic field is strong, the box itself can become magnetized over time. Also remember that the strength of a magnetic field decreases rapidly with distance from the magnetic object. A steel box located a safe distance from the field would be your best bet.