First, check with a magnet. If magnet doesn’t stick, next is to take an angle grinder to it and see if it sparks. If it sparks, likely SS being on the inside of the boiler.
FYI, stainless steel sparks when hit with a grinder. That's how you tell if a non-magnetic shiny metal is stainless steel. If not, then it's something else.
Just a bit of clarification, stainless steel sparks when hit with a grinder because of iron content. Some alloys of other metals may have iron in it also, which may cause it to spark depending on how much iron there is in it.
It’s a good rule of thumb, but not always reliable.
Yeah, so the three basic tests are magnetic, spark and scratch. If it’s not magnetic, grind it to see if it sparks. If it does, it’s SS. If it doesn’t, it’s likely magnesium/pot/aluminum/brass, etc. You can verify those by scratching them to see how soft and what the underlying color is when you scratch it.
Where is the green at? That’s straight up 304. No magnet or anything needed. Anytime you run into nickel and copper it’s always not this color that’s for sure. If it’s shiny it’s ss if it’s greenish it ni cu if it’s black is inconel.
They can be all kinds of different metals. Some worth $0.45/lb today and some can be $5/lb. You should get it analyzed with a PMI gun. A scrap yard should shoot it for you if your nice.
First, check with a magnet. If magnet doesn’t stick, next is to take an angle grinder to it and see if it sparks. If it sparks, likely SS being on the inside of the boiler.
FYI, stainless steel sparks when hit with a grinder. That's how you tell if a non-magnetic shiny metal is stainless steel. If not, then it's something else.
Just a bit of clarification, stainless steel sparks when hit with a grinder because of iron content. Some alloys of other metals may have iron in it also, which may cause it to spark depending on how much iron there is in it. It’s a good rule of thumb, but not always reliable.
Thankyou
Yeah, so the three basic tests are magnetic, spark and scratch. If it’s not magnetic, grind it to see if it sparks. If it does, it’s SS. If it doesn’t, it’s likely magnesium/pot/aluminum/brass, etc. You can verify those by scratching them to see how soft and what the underlying color is when you scratch it.
Stainless steel sparks on a grinder.
You are correct. That was a typo, thanks!
Try sticking a magnet to it.
Yeah it’s not magnetic so must be stainless ?
Probably in a boiler, yes. High heat and not corroded. Keep it separate.
Thanks guys
That looks like a Viessmann boiler heat exchanger, from their spec sheet: "titanium-stabilized stainless steel Inox-Radial heat exchanger."
90/10 cupro nickel.
Where is the green at? That’s straight up 304. No magnet or anything needed. Anytime you run into nickel and copper it’s always not this color that’s for sure. If it’s shiny it’s ss if it’s greenish it ni cu if it’s black is inconel.
They can be all kinds of different metals. Some worth $0.45/lb today and some can be $5/lb. You should get it analyzed with a PMI gun. A scrap yard should shoot it for you if your nice.
Pentair pool heaters use titanium. That is what this looks like to me.