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SOLUTIONS Metal identification
2.03
Test Appearance of Appearance of Appearance of Comparative
Other tests for
untreated metal surface after filling fracture surface weight of metal identification,
surface and relative see following toughness pages for Metal description
Grey cast iron Dark grey or Light grey, rather Dark grey, Heavy Chiselling test.
rusty.
smooth.
uneven granular
Rough granular surface.
surface.
Rather brittle.
White cast iron
As above
Normally too hard Very finegrained,
to file. Shiny white silvery crystalline
when polished.
surface.
Very brittle.
Unalloyed steel.
Dark grey or rusty, wrought iron, can be smooth or low-alloy steel, rough, depending carbon steel on field of
application.
Stainless steel Shiny silver-grey
if polished. Matt
grey if unpolished.
None
Shiny grey, very smooth surface.
Some alloys are unfilable.
Medium-grey Heavy colour. Very tough to very brittle, depending on type.
File test. Spark test. Magnet test.
Chisel test
Shiny silver-grey.
Smooth surface.
Some are not filable.
Fine-grained grey surface. From tough to brittle.
Heavy
Magnet test
Copper
Various grades of Shiny coppered red-brown to green surface. (verdigris).
Not necessary
Heavy
None
Brass and bronze
Various grades of yellow-brown or green-brown.
From bronzered to Yellow, smooth surface.
Not necessary
Heavy
None
Very white and smooth surface.
Not necessary
Very light
Acid test
White, very smooth shiny surface.
Not necessary
Very heavy
None
Aluminium and Very light grey aluminium alloys
Lead and white metal
48
Heavy
White to grey, smooth velvety surface.