Does A Metal Detector Pick Up Aluminum?

If you are new to metal detecting, you may wonder whether your metal detector is capable of detecting aluminum. This is an important consideration since many objects contain this particular metal.

Furthermore, you might want to know if a walk-through metal detector at the customs picks up aluminum. So…

…Does aluminum set off a metal detector?

Aluminum, despite not being magnetic, can still be detected by a metal detector. This is because metal detectors generate eddy currents within conductive metals like aluminum. These eddy currents create an electromagnetic field that can be detected by the metal detector.

So, rest assured that your metal detector will be able to detect aluminum objects, thanks to this phenomenon.

In this article, I will provide information on the types of objects that commonly contain aluminum. Additionally, I will explain the sound produced by a metal detector when it detects aluminum.

Lastly, I will guide you on how to set up your metal detector for optimal aluminum detection. Sit back, relax, and enjoy reading!

Does every metal detector pick up aluminum?

aluminum is classified as a lightweight metal. As the name suggests, a metal detector is designed to detect various types of metals, including aluminum.

This means that most hobby metal detectors equipped with a coil will have the capability to detect aluminum. However, it’s important to note that not all walk-through metal detectors, such as those found in airports, are designed to detect aluminum.

If your intention is to search for aluminum using a hobby metal detector like Minelab or Garrett, you can rest assured that these detectors will be effective in detecting aluminum.

When it comes to walk-through metal detectors, the situation is more complex. There are generally two types: passive and active detectors.

Passive metal detectors measure changes in the Earth’s magnetic field caused by a metal object, while active metal detectors utilize a time-varying magnetic field.

Only active walk-through metal detectors are typically capable of detecting aluminum. Therefore, it’s essential to consider the specific type of metal detector being used when it comes to aluminum detection.

What kind of objects contain aluminum?

Aluminum is a versatile metal belonging to the main group elements. It possesses excellent conductivity, is lightweight (approximately 60-70% lighter than iron), and exhibits remarkable strength.

Additionally, aluminum is highly resistant to corrosion. These remarkable properties make aluminum a widely used material across various industries.

The aviation and automotive sectors heavily rely on aluminum for its lightweight yet strong characteristics. It is also utilized in the manufacturing of cutlery, pans, folding chairs, cosmetic products, tent poles, furniture, and perhaps most commonly, packaging materials.

However, when it comes to metal detecting, aluminum can be quite frustrating. Many common items made of aluminum, such as pull tabs, beverage cans, packaging, and animal feed pendants, can create a considerable amount of “garbage” signals.

Discriminating aluminum from other metals poses a significant challenge for metal detector users. In the subsequent sections of this article, we will delve deeper into this topic to provide further insights and guidance.

How do I set up a hobby metal detector to find aluminum?

In nature, there are mainly three kind of metals that can be found:

– Ferrous. The ferrous objects are the most easy to find with a metal detector because these objects often contain cast iron and they are relatively conductive.

– Non-Ferrous. The non-ferrous objects are more difficult to be detected by a metal detector because these objects have less magnetic properties. Luckily enough, the modern metal detectors are still able to find them (just as good as the ferrous objects).

– Stainless steel. These objects are the most difficult to be find because the conductivity is very low.

Aluminum falls under the category non-ferrous. On the most metal detectors, you have the option to choose:

• Ferrous
• Non-Ferrous
• Both

This means that you should use the non-ferrous option (or both ferrous and non-ferrous) on the metal detector in order to find aluminum.

Why does aluminum cause problems during metal detecting?

The most valuable objects fall in the category non-ferrous (just like aluminum). Think about rings, coins, thimbles and jewelry. Some of these objects even contain aluminum!

Garbage like pull tabs and drinking cans, on the other hand, also contain aluminum. This means that you will often find garbage even though you are searching for valuable targets.

Many metal detector hobbyists opt to use the non-ferrous setting to avoid detecting old iron objects. They do this in pursuit of finding valuable items, as non-ferrous targets often hold more potential value.

However, this approach poses a challenge because both valuable objects and common garbage, such as pull tabs, beverage cans, and farming pendants, contain aluminum.

Digging up these unwanted items is an inevitable part of metal detecting. It requires patience and persistence to sift through the signals and distinguish between valuable finds and everyday debris.

Embracing this reality is essential in the pursuit of uncovering hidden treasures and enjoying the excitement of the hobby.

How do I avoid that I find aluminum with a metal detector?

You might wonder if you can avoid that you find aluminum. Good news: this is possible with the most metal detectors. You can do this by using the discrimination function.

As mentioned earlier, on the most metal detectors you have the option to choose between ferrous, non-ferrous, or both metals that you want to find. Because aluminum falls under non-ferrous, you should use the ferrous option if you want to ignore aluminum.

However, you have to be aware of the fact that you won’t be able to find valuable stuff anymore when you only use the ferrous mode.

Therefore, I would advise you to use the non-ferrous mode and be at peace with the fact that you sometimes find garbage. In the end, metal detecting should stay exciting!  

If case you have a brand new modern metal detector, you might be able to discriminate certain target ID’s (every object has a very specific target ID). When this is the case, you will be able to discriminate very specific targets (this could be useful if you constantly find the same piece of garbage that contains aluminum).

What sound does the metal detector produce when it detects aluminum?

In general, high conductive metals produce a high and strong beep. Since aluminum is a highly conductive metal, the metal detector will produce high tones when it detects aluminum.

This sound can be really misleading because valuable objects often produce the same sound. Ferrous objects, on the other hand, often produce low tones. If you want to know more about identifying the tones of the metal detector, you should take a look at my other blog.

Does a metal detector at the airport pick up aluminum?

Even though aluminum is not magnetic, it will still be detected by the most metal detector at the airport. This is because these metal detectors produce a magnetic field that induces eddy currents in any conductive metal. These eddy currents in turn produce a magnetic field that will be observed by the metal detector.

However, not all metal detectors at the airport will detect aluminum. As mentioned earlier, there are two types of metal detectors: passive and active metal detectors. Only the active metal detectors will be able to detect aluminum.

Notice that the most metal detectors on the airport are active metal detectors which means that almost every metal detector at the airport will be able to recognize aluminum.

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