MagScapes Rating System

Why we need a Rating system?

When MagScapes introduced 'magnetic wallpaper' in 2006, it was (and still is) designed to enable magnets to stick to the surface much like a fridge door.

This involves using ferrous particles in the body of the flexible wallcoverings - so it is important to understand MagScapes wallcoverings are not 'magnetised'. 

Making ferrous wallcoverings this way means they remain receptive to magnets indefinitely and also avoid concerns about 'magnetic fields' such as human safety or electronic interference issues.

Typically, the questions we hear most are:
"I need magnets to hold my posters on the wall without falling off."
"I need magnets that are safe for young kids to use and learn."

Combining the need for usability and safety meant we needed to look at both wallcoverings and magnets to create one simple rating for both.

1. Wallcoverings - Receptivity Rating (X/5)
2. Magnets - Grip Rating (00)

1. Wallcoverings - Receptivity Rating

MagScapes range of ferrous wallcoverings in order of receptivity:

MagLiner™ - 5/5 ferrous liner that can be covered with any wallpaper, print, paint or fabric
MagWrite™ - 4/5 writeable ferrous wallcovering for use with dry erase pens
MagChalk™ - 4/5 black ferrous wallcovering for chalks and chalk pens
MagPrint™ Custom - 3/5 ferrous wallcoverings for custom print and maps 
MagPaintable™ - 2/5 ready-primed ferrous wallcovering for direct painting

Each wallcovering is tested to provide a rating to determine how well magnets will perform.

1.1 Receptivity Test Materials:
- a standard (15mm dia x 4mm thick) N35 Neodymium Disc Magnet
- multiple sheets of standard 80 gsm A4 copy paper
- a standard piece of MagScapes wallcovering fixed to a vertical wall surface

1.2 Receptivity Test Process:
The Disc Magnet is used to hold multiple sheets of A4 paper to the wall. The number of sheets that it can hold securely provides a performance score that provides the Receptivity Rating.

1.3 Receptivity Factors:
- magnet pull strength (grip strength of magnet)
- gravity (downward force)
- shear (slipability of the magnet on the surface)
- receptivity (quality and strength of wall material)

1.4 Receptivity Conclusions:
Receptivity Rating: 2 - 3 = low-power magnet applications
Receptivity Rating: 4 - 5 = high-power magnet applications 

2. Magnet Grip Rating

MagScapes range of magnets in order of grip:

MagPlus - are high-power Neodymium Magnets used for utility applications such as holding items on a wall.

MagLite - are low-power Flexible Sheet Magnet used for decorative applications such as for placement of decorative elements on a wall.

2.1 Magnet Grip Test Materials:
- a MagPlus Neodymium Magnet
- multiple sheets of standard 80 gsm A4 copy paper
- a standard piece of MagLiner wallcovering fixed to a vertical wall surface

2.2 Magnet Grip Test Process:
The number of A4 sheets held securely upon the MagLiner base by the magnet determines its Grip Rating.

2.3 Magnet Grip Factors:
- the size/volume of the magnet
- the material of the magnet (barium, iron, ceramic)
- magnetising process

2.4 Magnet Grip Rating Conclusions:
Grip Rating: 1 - 2 = low power magnets (safer for young kids - see guide)
Grip Rating: 3 - 5 = high power magnets (requires careful handling - see guide)

How to use the ratings

Use the ratings to check the wallcovering and magnets are best suited for the intended purpose. If in any doubt feel free to contact our team or request a free sample pack to run a test on-site.

General Conclusion:
MagScapes hope its rating method and guides make selecting wallcoverings and magnets easier when planning various magnetic applications at work, play, care or learning environments.