Is there a quick way, I can tell the differenct between the two?

I've heard of a spark test. Don't exactly know what that is.

Someone suggested cleaning both, and compare the rust.

Anyone of you have an idea?

 

Magnet won't stick to stainless.

 

^ correction, depending on the series of stainless a magnet might have a slight pull to it but not a whole lot. Mild steel a magnet will cling fast to solidly

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by silentdaredevil2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">^ correction, depending on the series of stainless a magnet might have a slight pull to it but not a whole lot. Mild steel a magnet will cling fast to solidly</TD></TR></TABLE>



Or you can get real fancy with one of those metal analyzers.

 

I'll try the magnet trick... But the idea is that there would be a pull difference... Right? Thanks guys.

 

spark test: take a known peice of mild steel and grind it on a bench grinder, you will get a big rooster tail of sparks. with ss you will get a small amount to almost no sparks.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by weiRtech &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">spark test: take a known peice of mild steel and grind it on a bench grinder, you will get a big rooster tail of sparks. with ss you will get a small amount to almost no sparks.</TD></TR></TABLE>



It think that is quite practical. Most people will have a way of grinding/cutting something (dremel, grinding wheel, cutoff saw, etc) around.

Thanks.

 

300 series stainless are non magnetic, 400 series are magnetic

 

Maybe try a overnight corrosion test in some hot salt water

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by own6volvos &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Maybe try a overnight corrosion test in some hot salt water </TD></TR></TABLE>

Even 304 will corrode in hot salt water.