How to Differentiate Between Aluminum and Stainless Steel in Louisville

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Being on the lookout for a reputable supplier of stainless steel in Louisville is very important to avoid getting swindled. One industry secret is that some unscrupulous suppliers swap stainless steel for aluminum. The reason for this is that stainless still is much more expensive, therefore increasing their profit margins. Such unscrupulous dealers rely on your not being able to tell the difference between the two metals. To avoid this kind of scenario, it is always a good idea to perform a few simple tests to ensure that you are getting exactly what you are paying for.

The rust test is a simple yet reliable way of telling whether or not you have the right metal. Most people believe that stainless steel doesn’t rust. Contrary to this, it actually does, only that it takes much longer than regular steel. Aluminum on the other hand will never rust. If you notice the subtle red-orange color that often signifies the onset of rust, you are definitely dealing with stainless steel. Another test is to submerge a sample in salt water and give it a couple of weeks. With time, you will be able to tell whether or not what you have is stainless steel or aluminum.

You can also perform a grinder test to figure out whether you have stainless steel or the alternative. You will need a bench grinder or an angle grinder, specifically one with a course wheel. Ferrous metals (such as steel) usually give off sparks while aluminum doesn’t. Passing a sample through the grinder will immediately tell you what kind of material you have.

Lastly, a magnet test should be able to tell you what kind of metal you have. Aluminum will never draw a magnet, while steel will. It is however worth noting that this test isn’t exactly conclusive. Some grades of stainless steel, specifically the higher or more expensive grades do not draw magnets. You might need to do a little bit more research as to whether your specific type of stainless steel should draw a magnet before conducting this test. You can of course avoid all the hustle by purchasing your metals from a reputable supplier of stainless steel in Louisville such as American Metal Supply Co. You can be sure to get exactly what you pay for, and at competitive pricing as compared to what else is on the market.