Copper-Sulfate Test on Stainless Steel Balls

Copper-sulfate can be used to test whether a ball is stainless steel or not. This solution consists of copper-sulfate crystals dissolved in a 6 percent solution of sulfuric-acid and water. A drop of this solution on the surface of a clean steel ball will immediately form a bright spot of copper plating. This solution will not affect any of the corrosive resistant materials within a two-minute period, but may react to hard ferritic or Martensitic stainless-steel after a long period of exposure.

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8g of copper sulfate 500 ml of distilled water 2-3 ml of sulfuric acid   dissolved together
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6 minute soak visual inspection sample test steel ball and stainless steel balls

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