How to Tell 400 Series SST from CRS?

[Strider17]

Gentlemen:

Is there a simple, shop based, test that can be used to
distinguish martinsitic SST (400 series) from CRS/Drill Rod?
Hopefully something on the order of grinding wheel sparks,
etc...

Thanks

The more you know, the more you
know you don't know....

 

[swall]

Dip it in 50% nitric acid. If SS, nothing much will happen. If carbon steel, lots of nasty bubbling and outgassing. Or, dip it a copper sulfate solution. Carbon steel will plate out copper right away, SS will not , or maybe do a little, depending on whether or not it was passivated.

 

[stanweld]

Use a magnet to distinguish between 400 series ferritic and martensitic stainless steels and austenitic, 300 series, stainless steels. 400 series are ferromagnetic (strongly attracted to the magnet).

 

[EdStainless]

You can spark test, but it takes a good eye. And I can't find the link to the pictures right now.
Acid is good quick test.

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Rust never sleeps
Neither should your protection

http://www.trent-tube.com/contact/Tech_Assist.cfm

 

[Strider17]

Gentlemen:

Thanks for the tips. I will order some CuSO4 and
Nitric Acid for testing. I have a number of bars
which could be 1030, 1045, 416, or 430, based on
receiving records. The sawman cut off the color
codes....

Thanks again...

 

[metengr]

If you have this kind of mix-up with material inventory, do yourself a favor and have a local chemical/metallurgical lab perform a chemical analysis. Chemical analysis costs between $50-$75 a sample, and it is well worth the price. You can't afford to be mixing even various grades of carbon steel in your inventory.

 

[Yallapragada1022]

I completely agree with metengr. In your case, chemical analysis is a better option.

Rao Yallapragada

 

[Goahead]

An inexpensive alternative to chemical analysis is X-Ray Fluorescence sorting, possible with a hand held instrument on the whole stock.

http://www.welding-advisers.com/

 

[EdStainless]

A handheld XRF won't tell you carbon. Cut samples and have the lab run you Carbon and Chromium. You can sort it out from there.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Rust never sleeps
Neither should your protection

http://www.trent-tube.com/contact/Tech_Assist.cfm

 

[stanweld]

Sorting can be done with eddy current devices after you have determined carbon and chrome.