Stainless Steel
There are two types of stainless steel. One type, called austenitic, is non-magnetic. Non-magnetic stainless has a silver appearance. It is very heavy, rust-resistant, and cannot be cut with a normal torch. A simple way to test if you have austenitic stainless steel is to use a magnet. If the magnet does not stick to the metal you either have austenitic stainless or some form of aluminum. Aluminum will be more dull in appearance than stainless.
Some manufacturers try to cut costs by using a magnetic "stainless" material. This tactic is commonly used on appliances to give the stainless appearance. As the name implies, a magnet will stick to this metal due to the high concentration of iron. This type of stainless is referred to as ferritic.
Common Examples:
Sinks
Pipes
Valves
Sheet
Some manufacturers try to cut costs by using a magnetic "stainless" material. This tactic is commonly used on appliances to give the stainless appearance. As the name implies, a magnet will stick to this metal due to the high concentration of iron. This type of stainless is referred to as ferritic.
Common Examples:
Sinks
Pipes
Valves
Sheet
Tips:
When scrapping stainless steel it needs to be free of steel, aluminum, copper, wood, plastic, glass, or other foreign material in order to achieve the highest price. If there are contaminants attached to the stainless it will be charged as stainless breakage, which is a large price reduction.
When scrapping stainless steel it needs to be free of steel, aluminum, copper, wood, plastic, glass, or other foreign material in order to achieve the highest price. If there are contaminants attached to the stainless it will be charged as stainless breakage, which is a large price reduction.