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Physical and chemical identification

of stainless steel pipes
2018-01-16

 Industry News
 News

The physical point of view：

From a physical point of view, magnetic testing is the easiest way to identify annealed
austenitic stainless steel and ferrite stainless steel. Austenitic stainless steel is a kind of
non-magnetic stainless steel, but after cold work under big pressure have mild magnetic,
but pure chromium stainless steel and low alloy steel has strong magnetism. It can be
distinguished by magnetism.

Chemical test：
Sulfuric acid test
The test of stainless steel pipes through sulfuric acid can distinguish between 302 and
304 stainless steel and 316 and 317 stainless steel. Stainless steel pipe sample trimming

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needs after fine grinding, then is 20-30% in volume concentration, temperature is 60-66 ℃
(specific gravity of 1.42) of nitric acid cleaning and passivation in half an hour.
Sulfuric acid test solution volume concentration is 10%, when heated to 71 ℃ when the
302 and 304 stainless steel in such a hot, rapid corrosion and generate a large number of
air bubbles, sample in a few minutes will turn black; However, the samples of 316 and 317
stainless steel are not corroded or slow to react (no bubble formation), and the sample is
not discoloured in 10-15 minutes. The experiment is more accurate if it is approximated by
the test samples with known components.
Nitrate point test
One of the obvious features of the stainless steel pipe is the inherent corrosion resistance
of the nitric acid and the dilute nitrate. Such properties make it easy to distinguish from
most other metals or alloys. However, the high-carbon 420 and 440 stainless steel were
slightly corroded in the nitric acid test, and the non-ferrous metals were immediately
corroded when the nitric acid was encountered. But the nitric acid is more corrosive to
carbon steel.
Copper sulfate test
The copper sulfate test is the easiest way to quickly distinguish between ordinary carbon
steel and all types of stainless steel. The concentration of copper sulfate was 5-10%.
Before the points test, test area should be thoroughly remove grease or all kinds of
material, using a soft grinding, and polishing a small area, then use to clean up after
dropping bottle regional drip copper sulfate solution. Ordinary carbon steel or iron will form
a surface metal in a matter of seconds, while the stainless steel surface does not produce
copper deposits or the color of copper.

Through such physical and chemical experiment method, can clearly distinguish the
different kinds of stainless steel pipes, then on the basis of its performance, choose the
appropriate use occasions, such conducing to the safety of the production and living.

Identification Tests for Stainless Steels

Stainless steels can be hard to identify. The different types can be distinguished by
methods as

 magnet testing
 spark testing
 hardness testing
 acid testing

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Sulfuric
AISI Magnet Spark Hydrochloric
Grade Group Hardness Test Acid
Type Test Test Acid Test
Test

Strong
attack – Rapid
green reaction –
302 crystals pale
and blue-green
dark solution
surface

Spoiled egg
303 Few odor – heavy
forks – black smudge
short,
reddish
303Se Garlic odor

Strong
attack –
green
>165 Brinell after Fast attack –
304 o
crystals
Chromium- Non- heated to 1800 F gas formation
Austenitic and
Nickel Magnetic and water
dark
quench
surface

308
Full red
without
309
many
forks
310

Few Slow
forks – attack – Very slow
316
short, tan attack
reddish surface
turns
317 brown

321 Fast attack –

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gas formation
347

Rapid
reaction –
410
dark green
Long solution
white
414 with few
forks
Spoiled egg
416 odor – heavy
black smudge

416Se Garlic odor

> 280 Brinellafter
heated to 1800oF
Martensitic Long and water
white-red quench
420
with
burst

Chromium Magnetic
Long
white
431
with few
forks

Long
440 A, white-red
B, C with
burst

Long
white
430 180 –
with few
forks 250 Brinell after
Ferritic heated to 1800oF
and water
quench Spoiled egg
430F odor – heavy
black smudge

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430FSe Garlic odor

Full red
without
446
many
forks

Source: China Steel Pipe Manufacturer – Yaang Pipe Industry Co., Limited
(www.yaang.com)

Please notice that you might be interested in the other technical articles we’ve published:

• THE PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF STAINLESS STEEL WATER PIPE

• THE ADVANTAGES OF STAINLESS STEEL WATER PIPES

References:

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

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