No passwords, No popups, No cost, No AI:
we earn from 'affiliate link' purchases, making the site possible

Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry

  The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing 1989-2024

-----

Is it aluminum or zinc, or ?

How can I identify a metal? It seems to be aluminum, but maybe zinc. It is an old, potentially valuable item, so non destructive testing is preferred.

Kevin Campbell
- Granville, Illinois, US
2003

This one I've done myself, although Archimedes did it before I did. Weigh it, then determine its volume by how much water it displaces. You can use a graduated flask, or overflow the water into a larger container, or any other method of measuring the water volume or weight. From these two numbers you'll know the density or specific gravity. Look up the density of aluminum and zinc and you'll see that they differ radically enough that this procedure will leave no question which material you have.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003

How can I easily tell a zinc material from an aluminum one. They both have a similar look and are not magnetic.

Thank you for you response.

Alan Surtees
Genesis Recycling - Van., B.C., Canada
2005

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: