Non-Destructive Identification of Stainless Alloys

[BenjaminM]

For the most part our reactors and tanks are 316L stainless. Most of the piping we have on site is 316 with some amount of 304 mixed in. We are wanting to work back through and identify what is 304 and what is 316.

Is there any easy means for testing where the piping and fittings are not clearly marked?

I have found a table of acid test on Engineering Tool Box

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/identification-stainless-steel-d_383.html

I additionally spoke to our local recycling center and they said they had a hand held alloy identifying analyzer made by Nycom?? I have not be able to find any information on such a tool.

 

[metengr]

Use a Positive Material Identification (PMI) hand held device for sorting between 304 and 316.

https://www.bruker.com/products/x-r...l-analysis/handheld-xrf/applications/pmi.html

 

[BenjaminM]

Metenger,

Thank you for the quick reply!!

It looks like I had the spelling wrong for the hand held unit, it is Niton by ThermoScientific. Let me chase down the PMI!! Thank you again.

 

[metengr]

You have several options for the hand held PMI device. Niton is good, as well.

 

[arunmrao]

I am using Niton and it is good.

"Even,if you are a minority of one, truth is the truth."

Mahatma Gandhi.

 

[bobjustbob]

When I was looking for one 5-7 years ago I settled on the Niton over the other similar devices. The only issue we had was the batteries. Maybe we did not take care of them as we should but after 3 years the battery life fell off quickly.

One note, these devices will tell you the difference between 304 and 316. It will not tell you the difference between 304 and 304L.

 

[EdStainless]

Across our company we own 5 different hand held x-ray tube devices.
There are differences in style, software, and interface, but all of them work acceptably.
type "handheld xray analyzer" into google and start reading.
Bruker, ThermoFisher, Spectro, Olympus, Oxford and few others.
Personally I don't like ones with removable electronics, but I do like removable batteries (allows you to carry extras into the field for a full day of work).

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

 

[XL83NL]

If you only want to differentaite between 304 and 316, the method the OP is after is called the moly drop test. See e.g.
-

http://www.vecom.nl/english/documentation/tb/VecomTechnicalBulletin-2010-03-ENG.pdf

-

http://www.avestafinishing.com/media/6153/prodblad 960 moly-drop test.pdf

Another solution;

http://www.ironhaven.nl/moly/molytester.htm

 

[arunmrao]

@XL83NL,
Good you brought out the spot tests, which are simple and economical.

"Even,if you are a minority of one, truth is the truth."

Mahatma Gandhi.