Recognition of different steels, iron etc ?

[zardoz]

Can anyone here give any tips on how to tell different sorts of steel or even iron. I know there is a heat test, but that is not always possible, and is very subjective anyhow. I knew a scrap dealer who had a veritable chemical lab, to tell one from t'other. This was only ever used by his son though, as the old guy seemed to tell what was what by picking it up and examining it or sawing it. In other words, long experience. Does anyone out there have any tips for us lesser mortals? Like how to tell low carbon steel from high carbon steel, or wrought iron from steel, for that matter

 

[snowcat]

Chip or spark test should give you an idea..

 

[rtbcomp]

Google "metal identification" about 30,000 hits to be going on with

 

[irondarren]

Cast Iron when ground produces dull red sparks, mild steel produces orange sparks, tool steel (high carbon) produces bright yellow

 

[Hitch]

Try grinding it, the whiter the spark, the harder it is, as a rule of thumb.

 

[Drains]

Having done what RTBC suggested, this site/following pages, is the biz

 

[scarecrow]

nice one simon