Better Testing Methods Advice

Though magnets and spark testing might seem a little primitive, they work for the vast majority of metal that we come into contact with. The metals usage often gives more clues to other metals like Nickel alloys. If you want to look into chemical testing of rarer metals, the guys in the goldrefining forum are much more knowledgeable.
Measuring resistance would give pretty clear results for metals but there are so many alloys as well as plated metals. Also the differing thickness of materials would also affect results, I would think this would give an unreliable result though I may attempt some values in the new year.
As well as a magnet I also use scratch testing to distinguish between aluminium and steel where pieces are thin and it isn't so easy to tell the difference in density. All alloys of iron are harder than all alloys of aluminium so this is easy. It can also sometimes be used to tell between aluminium and zinc though these are much closer in hardness.

I usually torch test everything metling it usually reveals what it is at least to me. I can tell the difference between 304 and 316 SS just by melting it. If you are really stumped by something just take it to the yard and make them hit it with the niton gun. I can usually just tell by looking at something what it is but I have been doing this for way to long.

Originally Posted by PistoneScrapProcessing

I usually torch test everything metling it usually reveals what it is at least to me. I can tell the difference between 304 and 316 SS just by melting it. If you are really stumped by something just take it to the yard and make them hit it with the niton gun. I can usually just tell by looking at something what it is but I have been doing this for way to long.

Have you noticed that non magnetic SS becomes magnetic near the cut or melted zone.