Identification Tests for Stainless Steels

Magnetic, spark, hardness and acid identification tests of austenitic, martensitic and ferritic 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

AISI Type

Grade

Group

Magnet Test

Spark Test

Hardness Test

Sulfuric Acid Test

Hydrochloric Acid Test

302

Chromium- Austenitic NonNickel Magnetic

>165 Brinellafter heated to Strong attack Rapid reaction - pale 1800oF and water quench green crystals blue-green solution and dark surface Spoiled egg odor heavy black smudge Garlic odor Strong attack green crystals and dark surface Fast attack - gas formation

303 303Se

Few forks short, reddish

304

308 309 310 Few forks short, reddish Slow attack - tan surface turns Very slow attack brown Full red without many forks

316

317

AISI Type 321 347 410 414 416 416Se

Grade

Group

Magnet Test

Spark Test

Hardness Test

Sulfuric Acid Test

Hydrochloric Acid Test

Fast attack - gas formation

Chromium

Magnetic Long white with few forks

Rapid reaction dark green solution

Spoiled egg odor heavy black smudge Garlic odor Martensitic > 280 Brinellafter heated to o Long white- 1800 F and water quench red with burst Long white with few forks Long whitered with burst Ferritic Long white 180 - 250Brinell after with few heated to 1800oF and water forks quench Spoiled egg odor heavy black smudge Garlic odor

420

431

440 A, B, C

430

430F 430FSe

AISI Type

Grade

Group

Magnet Test

Spark Test Full red without many forks

Hardness Test

Sulfuric Acid Test

Hydrochloric Acid Test

446

Test for Difference Between Type 316 and 304 Stainless Steel Q. I have about 1000 worth of perforated stainless steel sheets. The problem is that they are a mix of 304 and 316. There is a test that I know of. A chemical is applied to 316. It tests for the 'molyb-da-mum' (that's roughly how it's pronounced but I'm sure that it's not it's most accurate spelling) content in the 316. The chemical is green and turns brown when it reacts with the M word in the 316. As 304 does not contain any, the chemical stays green. My problem is I cannot remember the name of the chemical. ... Please help. A. According to ASTM STP 550, possibly available from the ASTM, the test for molybdenum in 300 series stainless is to a) Place equal drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid and concentrated nitric acid on the metal surface. Allow 3 to 4 minutes for reaction and transfer 2 drops to a spot plate. b) Add 2 drops of 10% potassium thiocyanate. c) Add 25% sodium thiosulfate drop-wise stirring until the red color begins to disappear. A violet color will appear if molybdenum is present.