- 1). Inspect the steel looking for any markings from the manufacturer. If the steel is in bar or drill-rod form there are typically markings that can be cross referenced with the manufacturer to tell the exact form of steel.
- 2). Put a drop of hydrogen peroxide, a powerful oxidizer, on the steel. Let it sit overnight and inspect it in the morning. If the steel has rusted, it is probably a non-stainless version of steel and therefore not 400-series stainless steel.
- 3). If the steel has not oxidized excessively it is a stainless steel. Place a magnet on the steel. If the steel is not magnetic, it is an austenitic stainless steel and not a 400-series stainless steel.
- 4). Place the steel against a grinding wheel and observe the sparks that fly off. Sparks from higher carbon steels, typically not in the 400 series, produce tight sparks like the sparks of a sparkler. Cross reference the sparks with a spark test chart.
- 5). Using an Instron machine, calculate the tensile strength of the steel. If the tensile strength is between 65 and 95 ksi, it falls within the range of 400-series steels.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -