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umahunter
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XRF probably not accurate enough to differentiate alloys. It will tell if elements are there, and an idea of percentages, but guidelines only.
I have a fair amount of testing done, and worked in a metallurgical lab.
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One of the down sides of purchasing metal and not knowing the alloy leaves us with the question; What can I use this for? Without MTR's (Mill Certification) or chemical analysis we get in trouble unless we are willing to play around and the parts are for nothing critical.I have been going to an auction in my area an buying some odd an end pcs of steel for little to nothing..well I bid an one on 4 12ft 3 8ft pcs of 2.125 round solid it has a semi sanded finish. machines good with carbide. makes hot gold blue to purple stringers chips no matter what feed or speed or cutter. I gave 50 for the lot but like to know what I have.?
Thanks DK
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Actually there is some rusting on half the length of the 12 foot pcs.One of the down sides of purchasing metal and not knowing the alloy leaves us with the question; What can I use this for? Without MTR's (Mill Certification) or chemical analysis we get in trouble unless we are willing to play around and the parts are for nothing critical.
From the suggestions already given, along with the spark test, I would make an attempt to determine if the material is low carbon or medium to high carbon steel. You could do this by heating it up to cherry and quenching it. The possibility of getting a result of brittle material from low carbon is slim. My fabrication expericence says that low carbon comes in hot rolled or cold rolled and when you get into materials that are ground, polished to a specific size the material is usually a special allow. Of course this doesn't mean someone didn't order a low carbon to a specific size to minimum production time. In regard to magnetic vs non-magnetic stainless steel, the 400 series is magnetic and allows for heat treating. e.g. eating utensils, flatware.
Russ
PS. From the photos, there's no rust and anything with carbon would have a light rust on it if exposed for any length of time unless it's coated with a rust preventative.
It was difficult to see in the photos. If you plan on selling any it would be good to know the chemical composition. There's a lot of low carbon material coming out of the mills with additional alloys added for machining, case hardening, etc. I'm the novice when it comes to machining but when welding I like to know what I'm working with.Actually there is some rusting on half the length of the 12 foot pcs.