How do you tell what type of metal something is made of?

Answer 1

I can tell you if a magnet sticks to an item then it is steel or iron. I know this because i weld and i use a magnet to decide what i can weld and what i can't. Aluminum is not magnetic. You can tell aluminum by it's dull silver color or it can be highly polished. You can also tell by the weight. A large piece of aluminum can seem to weigh almost nothing compared to steel or iron pieces of the same size. I know even less about bronze but i think it would be a heavy metal and often darker and brownish color. Brass will be a lighter weight and a higher shine and more of a goldish color. Copper well....it looks like the color of a penny. That's assuming it's not metal that's painted or something. I assume though that all things metal like coins, car parts, lamps and ornamental stuff are not one pure metal. there is probably some degree of other metals mixed in like tin or lead or nickel and zinc.

Answer 2

You can determine the type of metal by conducting tests such as visual inspection, magnet test, density measurement, or chemical analysis. Each metal has unique physical and chemical properties that can help you identify it accurately. Consulting with a metallurgist or using specialized equipment like a spectrometer can also aid in identifying the metal type.