Industrial Innovations

Industrial Innovations

Identifying carbon, alloy and stainless steels based on spark patterns

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Manufacturing Department, Engineering Faculty, Arak University, Arak, Iran
2 Manufacturing department, Engineering faculty, Arak University, Arak, Iran
3 Raya Sanat Dana comapany, Arak , Iran
4 Kiasa Company, Arak, IRan
Abstract
Accurate metal and alloy identification plays a key role in reducing costs and increasing productivity in various industrial applications. However, some industries are unable to utilize advanced metal identification equipment, such as XRF, due to financial constraints. In such circumstances, the use of simple, fast, and low-cost methods such as spark testing to identify metals can be a suitable and practical alternative. Spark testing can identify different alloys and metals based on examining the shape, color, and different geometrical properties of sparks resulting from the contact of metal with a grinding machine. Given the importance of this issue, this study was conducted based on the identification of metals according to the spark pattern produced by grinding the sample. This research demonstrated that different grades of steels, such as 420 (stainless steel), 316(stainless steel), and A105 steel(carbon steel), can be reliably identified from one another by analyzing the spark patterns and geometrical features. The results indicate that the difference in the composition of alloying elements leads to the production of spark patterns with distinctive characteristics that can be identified with sufficient experience and accuracy in interpreting the spark patterns. As an example, based on the presented results in this paper, the spark length in A105 steel was approximately 33 mm longer than that of 316, and its spread angle exceeded that of 316 steel by 3.5 degrees. This research aims to explain the practical application of the spark test as an effective experimental method for rapid identification of metals in industrial environments.
Keywords


Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 29 July 2025

  • Receive Date 28 June 2025
  • Revise Date 25 July 2025
  • Accept Date 29 July 2025