How do you test to see if a metal is aluminum?

Answer 1

With a magnet. Aluminum is not magnetic.

That is of course dependent on the steel.

All aluminum is non magnetic, however so are some types of steel.

The degree of magnetic response or magnetic permeability is derived from the microstructure of the steel.

A totally non-magnetic material has a magnetic permeability of 1.

Austenitic structures are totally non-magnetic and so a 100% austenitic stainless steel would have a permeability of 1.

In practice this is not achieved. There is always a small amount of ferrite and/or martensite in the steel and so permeability values are always above 1. Typical values for standard austenitic stainless steels can be in the order of 1.05 - 1.1.

It is possible for the magnetic permeability of austenitic steels to be changed during processing. For example, cold work and welding are liable to increase the amount of martensite and ferrite respectively in the steel. A familiar example is in a stainless steel sink where the flat drainer has little magnetic response whereas the pressed bowl has a higher response due to the formation of martensite particularly in the corners.

In practical terms, austenitic stainless steels are used for "non-magnetic" applications, for example magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In these cases, it is often necessary to agree a maximum magnetic permeability between customer and supplier. It can be as low as 1.004.

REF: http://www.bssa.org.uk/faq.php?id=24 (British Stainless Steel Association)

SECOND: very low tech and slightly destructive, use an angle grinder or if you have to a drill with a grinding/cutting bit. Briefly touch the metal with the bit. Steel and/or stainless steel will spark, aluminum will not.

THIRD: very-very low tech. Measure, or just feel, the weight of the part. Aluminium metal used for constructions, has approximately a specific gravity of 2700 kg/m3, while stainless steel 7800 ton/m.

Answer 2

How would i be able to tell the difference between silver, white gold alloy or platinum?
Answer


You need a graduated cylinder and a balance. Determine the volume of each sample, then weigh them. A little math will give you the density of each sample. From there...


Aluminum is the least dense


Tin and steel have almost the same density, so use a magnet to tell which is which


Next is silver, followed by white gold alloy.


Platinum is the most dense.

Answer 3

See if a magnet is attracted to the can. If it sticks, the can is steel. If it doesn't, the can is made of something else. Aluminum would be the most common non-magnetic can, but not the only one. If you're talking food or drink containers, then a non-magnetic can is probably aluminum. But if you're testing industrial tanks or containers, then it could be titanium, magnesium, or even stainless-steel. While plain or carbon steel is magnetic, most stainless-steels are not.

Answer 4

1. Using methods of analytical chemistry

2. Measuring the physical properties of the material and comparing these with the aluminum properties from the standardized tables

Answer 5

aluminium is shiny and steel is shinny