4130 question for ole' pros

[flyguy]

Is there any home test way of telling 4130 from mild steel. I am rather curious about the difference we found in the condition of my struts and wonder if it may be due to them being made of different material. Just curious is all.
DC

[Forrest Barber]

Re: 4130 question for ole' pros

Have a welder "spark" test them.

[rotaxflyer]

Re: 4130 question for ole' pros

At work we use a test kit like this to grade stainless - it electrochemically checks for molybdenum and should work to ID chro-mo steels too. Not cheap, but not out of reach either. Takes a minute and does not damage the surface.

http://www.koslow.com/1542c.html

Andy

[flyguy]

Re: 4130 question for ole' pros

Anything like a hardness punch type test? As in compare to mild sample, compare to 4130 sample. Having to assume that test specimen is only one or the other.
Thanks for replies.
Darryl

[astjp2]

Re: 4130 question for ole' pros

just hit it lightly with a grinder, its faster....most of the prewars are 95% mild steel, and the post war bird had a lot more moly. Tim

[flyguy]

Re: 4130 question for ole' pros

Should be able to do that--thanks.
DC