Identification of metal please.

[ajlelectronics]

These were described as Stainless steel. I don't believe it. One pair seems it has a Zinc passivate coating, the other is BZP. or am I wrong, before I complain about "not as described"?

 

[rtbcomp]

The stainless ones I buy have "Stainless" stamped on them and have a more polished finish.

 

[Shedendman]

The magnet should tell you shouldn't it?

 

[rtbcomp]

Some "Stainless" is magnetic.

 

[ajlelectronics]

The magnet should tell you shouldn't it?

Of course! Thanks for that, they are most definitely not stainless by any test. Pain in the rear end as I wanted to use them this weekend. I could have got some like this from the Pound shop. ;-)

 

[Pete.]

Bottom left looks stainless, rest plated.

 

[optima21]

bright zinc plating should have a slight bluish tint to it when compared to stainless steel

 

[Kent]

the top two are deffo not stainless the lower two look zinc plated. Trading standards are worth a call I know its only a small thing but nobody should be able to get away with this sort of mis-description of goods so get them reported and save someone else looking two days

 

[ajlelectronics]

Told him the difference and how to check:

Hmm The yellowish ones i can't explain because the whole batch has come in from supplier like that so thats a question for them, but what's BZP I'm not sure what that is.

"
Thanks for that information tbh never really looked into it that way always called them steel hose clips, i see your not entirely happy with the item what would you like to do i can offer a partial refund."

 

[rtbcomp]

Ask for a full refund and explain if he doesn't know what he's selling he shouldn't be selling it.

 

[PTvor]

Either the seller has messed up, or been reckless as to what he was selling, or this is deceptive advertising. In any case the items are not as described, for whatever reason. Why should you be at any loss when you bought these in good faith by being lead to believe they were something they are not? Full refund.

 

[penfold]

If the picture's colour balance is off it can make SS clips look like BZP and vice versa, but in the pic all 4 look plated to me. Decent quality clips are always marked either stainless steel or inox, sometimes even with the grade, and the appropriate BS. If there are no markings they are cheapnese crap and you should get a refund.

 

[Welderpaul]

Touch it with a grinder and run it under the tap. It will flash rust if its mild steel.

 

[Shedendman]

Some "Stainless" is magnetic.

it was the quickest solution that came to me

 

[Richard.]

Touch it with a grinder and run it under the tap. It will flash rust if its mild steel.

Other than a chemical analysis This is about the best way to tell for sure. You should have a good idea before you get to the tap stage. When you dab it with a grinder if it's SS the sparks generated will be a light mist of deep orange and quite faint. If it's a coated steel once the disc breaks the coat there will be a burst of yellow and light orange sparks. This is carbon steel and if your not sure after that like Paul said a quick run under the tap all will be revealed. Some SS has a strong magnetic pull I believe some of the 4xx series is magnetic so it's not the best way to check.

 

[Rocketman]

If I remember correctly the magnetic stainless grades tend to be less corrosive resistant anyway, which are generally martensitic if I remember correctly.

Stop with the grades though we will be right off topic going down the austenitic, martensitic etc discussion

 

[DanielW]

Dunno about your clips but.....A guy I used ta know that collected scrap metal and during a conversation he asked me how to detect between Aluminium and Zinc because he reckoned the scrap yard was ripping him off ie he found quite a load of printers card plates anniversary,birthday ect ectera.These plates looked and felt(weight) like Ally,so I told him to splash some white vinegar on the material next time he thinks its ally which will fizz after a bit if its zinc.

 

[hotrodder]

FWIW decent suppliers typically describe hose clips using the DIN3017 material code, the letter W followed by a number...

W1 = plated carbon steel band and clamp
W2 = 410 or 430 (ferritic) stainless band with plated carbon steel fastener
W3 = ferritic stainless band and clamp
W4 = 304
W5 = 316