Results 1 to 7 of 7

Identifying Scrap Metals with Spark Testing

| Scrap Metal Identification
  1. #1
    admin started this thread.
    admin's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    684
    Thanks
    336
    Thanked 2,630 Times in 549 Posts

    Identifying Scrap Metals with Spark Testing

    Spark testing your metals is in my opinion, usually the easiest way to identify your metal types.

    This is a simple process, generally you'd take an angle grinder to your metal, and observe the sparks (if any), to determine the type, since all metals spark differently.

    Here's a piece of an article I found at Wikipedia with some simple guidelines for a few of the common types of metals, including 300, 310, and 400 series stainless steels. Link to the full page below.

    Wrought iron
    Wrought iron sparks flow out in straight lines. The tails of the sparks widen out near the end, similar to a leaf.

    Mild steel
    Mild steel sparks are similar to wrought iron's, except they will have tiny forks and their lengths will vary more. The sparks will be white in color.

    Medium-carbon steel
    This steel has more forking than mild steel and a wide variety of spark lengths, with more near the grinding wheel.

    High-carbon steel
    High-carbon steel has a bushy spark pattern (lots of forking) that starts at the grinding wheel. The sparks are not as bright as the medium-carbon steel ones.



    Manganese steel
    Manganese steel has medium length sparks that fork twice before ending.

    High-speed steel
    High-speed steel has a faint red spark that sparks at the tip.

    300-series stainless steel
    These sparks are not so dense as the carbon steel sparks, do not fork, and are orange to straw in color.

    310-series stainless steel
    These sparks are much shorter and thinner than the 300-series sparks. They are red to orange in color and do not fork.

    400-series stainless steel
    400-series sparks are similar to 300-series sparks, but are slightly longer and have forks at the ends of the sparks.

    Cast iron
    Cast iron has very short sparks that begin at the grinding wheel.

    Nickel and cobalt high-temperature alloys
    These sparks are thin and very short, they are dark-red in color, and do not fork.

    Cemented carbide
    Cemented carbide has sparks under 3 inches, which are dark-red in color and do not fork.

    Titanium
    Although titanium is a non-ferrous metal, it gives off a great deal of sparks. These sparks are easily distinguishable from ferrous metals, as they are a very brilliant, blinding, white color.
    Spark testing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    Additional spark testing information

    ALUMINUM
    Generally does not throw sparks.

  2. The Following 9 Users say Thank You for This Post by admin:



  3. #2
    SikoraMetals's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Detroit, MI
    Posts
    36
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 18 Times in 13 Posts
    One thing to remember when spark testing is to make sure you test through any finish or plating on the material. Pieces of aluminum that are chrome plated for example, will throw a spark until you get through the plating.

  4. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by SikoraMetals:


  5. #3
    SMF Badges of Honor




    Member since
    Mar 2012
    Location
    ks
    Posts
    2,187
    Thanks
    2,513
    Thanked 2,140 Times in 898 Posts
    I know this depends on the yard but how exactly would chrome plated al be graded ? Breakage maybe ?
    Alvord iron and salvage
    3rd generation scrapper and dam proud of it

  6. #4
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Jul 2012
    Location
    florida
    Posts
    96
    Thanks
    30
    Thanked 26 Times in 19 Posts
    this is another good one. Fundamentals of Professional Welding

  7. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by brucie:


  8. #5
    SikoraMetals's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Detroit, MI
    Posts
    36
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 18 Times in 13 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by taterjuice View Post
    I know this depends on the yard but how exactly would chrome plated al be graded ? Breakage maybe ?
    Worst case scenario you might get downgraded to contaminated aluminum, it should definitely be worth more than aluminum breakage. The only instance that jumps to mind is our yard pays 10-15 cents less for chrome plated wheels than pure aluminum wheels.

  9. #6
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Boise, ID
    Posts
    2,702
    Thanks
    2,237
    Thanked 2,352 Times in 1,014 Posts
    Titanium is definitely bright.


  10. #7
    Otto's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Ottawa, Ontario
    Posts
    335
    Thanks
    494
    Thanked 322 Times in 166 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper View Post
    Titanium is definitely bright.

    Wow, this is the first time that I've heard of this. I can't imagine that they're legal. They must chew up the road pretty good.


  11. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. Recycling Spark Plugs
      By zakmattingly in forum Scrap Metal Tips and Advice
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 03-19-2023, 01:55 PM
    2. Testing Question
      By erg in forum General Electronics Recycling
      Replies: 27
      Last Post: 02-01-2013, 09:25 AM
    3. Buying of bidding on scrap metals
      By phil377 in forum Scrap Metal Questions and Answers
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 05-03-2012, 12:59 PM
    4. Need testing??
      By Rich in forum Scrap Metal Questions and Answers
      Replies: 1
      Last Post: 11-26-2010, 02:01 PM
    5. Delaware - All scrap metals
      By scrapman951 in forum Scrap Metal Removal, Junk Car Removal and Metal Recycling Services
      Replies: 0
      Last Post: 10-15-2010, 02:27 PM

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

 
Browse the Most Recent Threads
On SMF In THIS CATEGORY.





OR

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

The Scrap Metal Forum

    The Scrap Metal Forum is the #1 scrap metal recycling community in the world. Here we talk about the scrap metal business, making money, where we connect with other scrappers, scrap yards and more.

SMF on Facebook and Twitter

Twitter Facebook