4. How to distinguish stainless steel
4.1 Magnetic test (B, page 4)
AISI 400 series stainless steel (martensitic and ferritic) are magnetic steels. In
order to verify if a stainless steel belongs to the AISI 400 series is to test the
stainless steel surface using the magnet located in the cap (6) on the refill. If
there is a magnetic attraction,then the sample is AISI 400 stainless steel. If
there is no magnetic attraction, then further testing is necessary.
4.2 Test with manganese reagent (C, page 4)
AISI 200 and AISI 300 series stainless steel can be recognized for their different
concentration of manganese in their chemical composition:
SURFOX TEST allows to you find, through a reagent contained in the refill (5)
and a simple electrochemical test, if there's a concentration of manganese
higher than 5% in the tested metal.
Test:
1. Verify the operation of the refill (5) touching a little piece of blotting paper by
its tip: if it doesn't spread, then it is necessary to replace the refill because
it's spent (par. 3).
2. Put a blotting paper on the sample surface area that you are testing (11).
3. Remove the cover of the refill (6).
4. Put the retractable probe (4) on the metal and press downwards until the
refill tip crushes the blotting paper against the metal (C).
5. Hold for 10 seconds.
6. Verify immediately the coloration of the blotting paper (C):
• Red/purple g "Mn" > 5% g stainless steel AISI 200 series.
• Yellow g "Mn" < 5% g stainless steel AISI 300 series.
Note: At the end of the test, the blotting paper's coloration can change quickly;
verify as soon as possible the color or it will be necessary to do the test again.
Note: After each test, the refill's tip (5) has to be cleaned by a piece of paper to
eliminate possible residue coming from previous tests.
Steel Solder
AISI 200
AISI 300
"Mn" %
5,5 - 10.5%
< 2%
SURFOX Test
7
Owner's manual