stainless test?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
stainless test?
I thought you could check stainless steel with a magnet to see if it sticks. I bought a 'stainless' collector reducer set with bolts. The bolts don't stick, but the reducers do, even though the metal looks like stainless. What's up with that?? :confused:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 7
From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: stainless test? (Chris81)
There are many different alloys that are called "stainless steel" There are 304,308,316 stainless steel, just to name a few. Typically the ss that is used on exhaust systems, especially the ss on mondern exhausts has a lot less nickel and chromium in it than higher grades of stainless. This alloy has a fairly high proportion on ferrous (iron)compounds so it does have magnetic properties.
I have a set of SS exhaust manifolds from a C4, they are slightly magnetic and do "rust," sort of. They get a red dust coating on them when exposed to high temps, but they do not pit or corrode away like mild steel.
I have a set of SS exhaust manifolds from a C4, they are slightly magnetic and do "rust," sort of. They get a red dust coating on them when exposed to high temps, but they do not pit or corrode away like mild steel.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Crofton MD
Re: stainless test? (Chris81)
As Smokehouse said, all stainless is not equal. 300 Series is non magnetic and is the most stain less of the stainless steels (higher nickle content). 302 and 304 are used in foodservice operations quite a bit, the higher 312and 317 resist many harsh chemicals and are used in Photo processing. 400 series has more carbon steel and is more prone to rust. The best place to buy high quality S/S nuts and bolts is a marine supply store, but take a magnet with you. Chlorine will attack all stainless and never clean stainless with steel wool. The splinters get in the stainless and start to rust. For most automotive applications, 400 series will work fine.
