A study to characterize metal plates by means of a model-based, broadband, four-point potential drop measurement technique has shown that the relative permeability of alloy 1018 low-carbon steel is complex and a function of frequency. A magnetic relaxation is observed at approximately 5 kHz. The relaxation can be described in terms of a parametric (Cole-Cole) model. Factors which influence the frequency, amplitude and breadth of the relaxation, such as applied current amplitude, sample geometry and disorder (e.g. percent carbon content and surface condition), are considered.