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So i just scrapped a non working hp printer 9800 and i already have all the plastic in a bin now im trying to sort out the metal before i start sorting electrical components. My question is, is there any metal that looks like it could be steel but not magnetic, i already have all the magnetic items in a steel bin and whats left is a bunch of pieces that look like steel but are not effected by a magnet. Is it just aluminum that been polished to look like steel or what.
Could be aluminum, could be non-magnetic stainless steel, and there are also tin coated copper and brass items. First make sure you use a very strong magnet, as some stainless steel has a slight magnetic pull. Scratch test or file it to see if it's tin plated copper/brass (color will show underneath). Hit it with a hammer to see if it is cast aluminum (will bend or break). Spark test to see if it is stainless steel (stainless sparks, aluminum doesn't.)
Read more old threads...
The thread posted below was one of the most valuable for myself when I first started sorting metals. You will get to the point that you can tell the difference between stainless and aluminum just by weight. There are many different types of stainless steel, but the local yard only categorizes as one grade so there is no advantage to separating it here. A file works best for my situation distinguishing between copper and brass.
http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/scrap...k-testing.html
Thanks everyone. I know I need to start going through all the old threads and do some reading but at the time im real busy and dont really have time most the things i work on are at work on my downtime and we cant really be on the computer for personal use anymore.
Manganese & stainless