Guidance on methods for sorting stainless steels from low alloy and carbon steels is shown. These include physical, (colour, density, magnetic), and mechanical, (hardness), properties and chemical tests, (copper sulphate, copper chloride, nitric acid and sulphur tests). A suggested approach to a step-by-step procedure for differentiating stainless steels from carbon steels is tabulated. These methods have not been verified by the BSSA, who take no responsibility for their accuracy of the conclusions reached on steel types.
Steel grades A, (410, 1.4006), B, (1.4021), C, (1.4028), D, (1.4034), E, (1.4116), F , G, H, I, K, (1.4122), R, L, (1.4105), M, (304, 1.4301), N, (303, 1.4305), O, (301, 1.4310), and P, (316, 1.4401) of BS EN ISO 7153-1:2001, (BS 5194-1:1991) are shown. The surgical and dental applications for these grades are outlined. These include cutting and non-cutting instruments and fitting parts and assemblies. (Body implants are NOT covered here.) Corrosion resistance, corrosion testing and the affects on these surgical steels of sterilisation practices are covered.