Stainless Steels - Identification Tests

Magnetic, spark, hardness and acid identification tests for austenitic, martensitic and ferritic stainless steels.

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Stainless steels can be hard to identify. The different types can be distinguished by methods as

For full table with Sulfuric and Hydrochloric Acid Test - rotate the screen!

Stainless Steels - Identification Tests
AISI Type	Grade	Group	Magnet Test	Spark Test	Hardness Test	Sulfuric Acid Test	Hydrochloric Acid Test
302	Chromium- Nickel	Austenitic	Non- Magnetic	Few forks - short, reddish	>165 Brinell after heated to 1800^oF and water quench	Strong attack - green crystals and dark surface	Rapid reaction - pale blue-green solution
303							Spoiled egg odor - heavy black smudge
303Se							Garlic odor
304						Strong attack - green crystals and dark surface	Fast attack - gas formation
308				Full red without many forks
309
310
316				Few forks - short, reddish		Slow attack - tan surface turns brown	Very slow attack
317						Slow attack - tan surface turns brown
321							Fast attack - gas formation
347							Fast attack - gas formation
410	Chromium	Martensitic	Magnetic	Long white with few forks	> 280 Brinell after heated to 1800^oF and water quench		Rapid reaction - dark green solution
414
416							Spoiled egg odor - heavy black smudge
416Se							Garlic odor
420				Long white-red with burst
431				Long white with few forks
440 A, B, C				Long white-red with burst
430		Ferritic		Long white with few forks	180 - 250 Brinell after heated to 1800^oF and water quench
430F							Spoiled egg odor - heavy black smudge
430FSe							Garlic odor
446				Full red without many forks