identifying a material

[imaz]

Hy Everyone. I need some help in identifying a steel pin that about 1/2" in Dia. Our welding dept. has been using in their fixtures. No one knows where it came from or what material it is made off. I would like to use a quick and easy way to identify the material. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

 

[gbednar]

A possible solution would be to send it to a lab to determine the chemical composition. They may be able to determine the material based on the properties.

I will try and post the name of the lab we use once I find it.

 

[JimMetalsCeramics]

Search the web or your telephone book for "assay" services in your area.

 

[imaz]

Thank you for your responses. I know sending this to a lab will help in determining the chemical composition and perhaps the metal. I am more interested in something quick and easy to do on the floor without finding the chemical containts.How did people recognized what type of material are they dealing with before the chemical analysis came along?

Regards

 

[griffengm]

Just how exact do you need to be?
Magnetic properties, specific gravity, electrical conductivity, chemical reaction, spark shower, hardness, reaction to various heat levels are all doable to some degree in most any shop.

 

[hgarch]

Call scrap metal traders/dealers in your area, especially ones dealing alloys. They use a hand-held spectrometer that can identify most metals in a few seconds.

 

[Trogdor]

You can buy a kit to identify metal types. The ones I have seen in MMC cost from $300 to $700 and can identify almost any kind of steel and even different kinds of stainless steel.