Identifying Aluminum & Stainless Steel

I have a big old hunk of what I think is stainless steel in the form of swimming pool stairs. I thought I would try to apply the grinder spark test to confirm that it is stainless. The problem is that the amount of sparks created is very little and less than I would see with regular steel. I have to look very hard to see them. Is this normal for stainless?

I tested some material I know is aluminum and could see no sparks at all. So I have reached the following preliminary conclusion regarding the grinder test:

Regular steel = lots of sparks
Stainless steel = just a few small sparks
Aluminum = no sparks at all

Is this right?

Thanks!

Spark test info here... http://www.capeforge.com/Spark%20testing.html

I have found that Aluminum is very light in comparison to stainless steel so its pretty simple for the most part..

All you could need when it comes to the spark test.

I never have really had a problem seeing sparks off of stainless steel. I don't consider it normal, and you should check to be sure of the type of alloy you have. If you were outside in bright sunlight, but if you were in a normal lit space it should be clear.

It wouldn't surprise me if the pool latter is 316 stainless steel, because a pool latter is constantly in a chlorine environment, and so it needs the chlorine fighting Molybdenum of 316 stainless, aka Marine Stainless. At my yard 316SS pays $1.30 per pound, so it is worth checking out if your yard does the same.

Originally Posted by TheIrrationalist

All you could need when it comes to the spark test.

I never have really had a problem seeing sparks off of stainless steel. I don't consider it normal, and you should check to be sure of the type of alloy you have. If you were outside in bright sunlight, but if you were in a normal lit space it should be clear.

It wouldn't surprise me if the pool latter is 316 stainless steel, because a pool latter is constantly in a chlorine environment, and so it needs the chlorine fighting Molybdenum of 316 stainless, aka Marine Stainless. At my yard 316SS pays $1.30 per pound, so it is worth checking out if your yard does the same.

I'm tearing down some restaurant equipment. I cut a panel off and on the other side it said it's 316. How do I know what the other stuff is?

Yard said he'd give me 80 cents/lb. If you're getting 1.30, I am thinking I should look around some more.

Thanks to everyone for your help!

Yeah, thats probably a good idea. I'm getting 80¢ per pound for 304.

Originally Posted by TheIrrationalist

All you could need when it comes to the spark test.

I never have really had a problem seeing sparks off of stainless steel. I don't consider it normal, and you should check to be sure of the type of alloy you have. If you were outside in bright sunlight, but if you were in a normal lit space it should be clear.

It wouldn't surprise me if the pool latter is 316 stainless steel, because a pool latter is constantly in a chlorine environment, and so it needs the chlorine fighting Molybdenum of 316 stainless, aka Marine Stainless. At my yard 316SS pays $1.30 per pound, so it is worth checking out if your yard does the same.

Thanks for that post.

Last year I sold a pool ladder as 304 stainless. I didn't even consider that it might be 316 stainless.

Don't know if I'll ever come across another pool ladder.

pool acid is a good tester. put a drop on metal, if it bubbles its aluminum, if not, its stainless.

Originally Posted by trashman

pool acid is a good tester. put a drop on metal, if it bubbles its aluminum, if not, its stainless.

Pool acid works as it is Hydrochloric acid. But for a more available source of Hydrochloric acid, I buy concentrated cement cleaner: Its usually a few dollars cheaper, and it can be found year round. Pool acid is only a seasonal item here. Read the ingredients to be sure of what you are buying.

What are the different types of stainless steel and how do you tell them apart? Im sure there is a different thread for this but couldnt find it. Any help appreciated.

The easiest way to tell is the gouging. Scrape it on some rough concrete or find a good tool to make some scrapes...Al gouges much deeper...SS is not as deep and much finer width scratches.