Who Can Test A Piece Of Steel

H

hcambron

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Apr 14, 2005
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I found a couple of interesting looking pieces of steel at a local junk yard. How could I go about having it tested?
If it turns out to be a high carbon steel I could go back and pick up the rest. But there's not a whole lot there so I don't want to spend a fortune to have it analyzed.
Each one measures 19 3/4 long x 1 1/2 wide x 1/4 thick and is painted red and black.
Any ideas???
missteel.jpg
 
Rather than send it off to be tested, just grind a notch near the end, heat it up to 1500 degrees, and quench it. The stick it in a vise and try to break off the end. If the end breaks off easily, it's carbon steel. Mild steel will bend a some before it breaks. I always do this to "junk" steel before trying to do anything with it.
If you still want it tested for alloy content, do a search for "steel analysis".
 
Phil,
I thought about the quench test but here is the problem. I am not an expert, no where close. This might give me an idea about the carbon content, but it won't tell me if I'm looking at 5160, 0-1, 1070, 1084, 1095, or whatever.
What if I'm able to make a hunter that someone wants to buy? The first question out of their mouth will be "What kind of steel is it?" Do I tell them it's 1084 or it performs like 5160 OR it's a piece of steel I picked up at a junkyard (steel scrap yard sounds better)? How many are going to buy that junkyard steel?
What if it turns out to be 1070? I know I would not be able to tell the difference between it and 1084. Would 1070 make a good hunter?
I was hoping someone here had some contacts who could test it for me. I'll try the search you suggested.
 
It'll cost you more to ship it for testing than just buying the best new.


Why dont you just get some leaf spring material ?
If the edges are factory rounded it surely 5160 and you can get all you want from a spring shop for $5-10 at most
Steel is cheap.
Get the best... Why have all of that sweat and tears in unknown junk.?
 
hcambron said:
Phil,
I thought about the quench test but here is the problem. I am not an expert, no where close. This might give me an idea about the carbon content, but it won't tell me if I'm looking at 5160, 0-1, 1070, 1084, 1095, or whatever.
What if I'm able to make a hunter that someone wants to buy? The first question out of their mouth will be "What kind of steel is it?" Do I tell them it's 1084 or it performs like 5160 OR it's a piece of steel I picked up at a junkyard (steel scrap yard sounds better)? How many are going to buy that junkyard steel?
What if it turns out to be 1070? I know I would not be able to tell the difference between it and 1084. Would 1070 make a good hunter?
I was hoping someone here had some contacts who could test it for me. I'll try the search you suggested.
Click to expand...


Tell them it's "magic mystery steel" :D Just kidding. Do the search. Awhile back I had some stuff tested (for free) and found out that the "best new" steel is not neccessarily what it claims to be. The best thing would be to buy a bunch of steel from one melt, and have it analysed so you know what your working with.
If you can get this stuff tested for free, and it turns out to be good stuff, then your doing well.
 
Gringogunsmith: That's one thing I don't want to do for sure, put a lot of sweat and tears in unknown junk.

Phil: I found the link and I'm sending Matt an email - Thanks
 
hcambron said:
Gringogunsmith: That's one thing I don't want to do for sure, put a lot of sweat and tears in unknown junk.

Phil: I found the link and I'm sending Matt an email - Thanks
Click to expand...

Your welcome.
I know how you feel, though. For some reason, I just can't resist mystery steel. I love going to scrap yards and finding cool stuff, and making something out of it. It's amazing what people just throw away.
 
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