Stainless Question

[Erik Fritz]

okay here is the question i had a metal suppliet give me a piece of stainless it is 1/4 X 3" X 12 ft and he said it laid around the warehouse and he didn't know what it was how do i find out if it is any good. with carbon steel i know how to spark test it but what do i do for stainless?

 

[Epsilon]

Best way: You cut off a piece and send it out for chemical analysis to a metallurgical lab or another lab equipped to handle such testing with their spectrometer. You may try a university as well.

 

[allan lanigan]

I would check it first with a magnet,The lower alloy stainless are not magnetic,eg. 303 304,If it is magnetic, send it out for a analysis