stainless steel vs hot dipped galvanized

[rscurt]

I have a job were I have to distinguish stainless steel brick ties from hot dipped galvanized ties.
Is there any simple test that can be done on a construction site to determine if a tie is stainless steel or not?
Or this kind of tests can be perfomed only by specialized labs?

Thank you

 

[CoryPad]

Do you know what stainless steel alloy is used? If it is austenitic, then it it not ferromagnetic, so you could use a magnet to determine the difference.

Another way would be to apply a drop of hydrochloric acid to the part. The galvanized part will have hydrogen gas evolved (bubbles in the liquid drop) due to reaction with the zinc, while the stainless will be unaffected.

Regards,

Cory

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[EdStainless]

Aren't the stainless ties marked with a stamp? All of them that I have ever seen were, they wanted to make sure that you knew that they were SS.

Try the magnet first, but doubt that the SS ties are fully nonferromagnetic.
Acid may be your only option.

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

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