how can you tell the difference between stainless steel and aluminum?

Answer 1

Aluminum is much lighter and softer and weaker and melts at much lower temperature than stainless steel.
Also Aluminum is easier to cut bend and form and put a mirror finish on.
The easy way to recognize the difference if you are looking at a piece of metal and you don't know the type, is to look and see if it has a "whiter" hue, if it does it is probably aluminum.

Answer 2

In appearance aluminum and Stainless Steel look the same. One sure way to tell the difference in the field is to pick up the object if you can. if the object is heavier than aluminum should be it mite be Stainless Steel. Remember never assume anything especially when it comes to real world applications. The problem with testing simple density is that there are many grades of Stainless Steel having varying densities.

Just another note. If the Stainless Steel is a lower grade like 305SS a magnet will stick to it.

Answer 3

find density

mass/volume

aluminum has a smaller density than stainless steel

Answer 4

Stainless is alot harder than aluminium. If you have an inconspicous spot, take a file and litely rub the file on either metal. If the file "bites" into the material, it is probably aluminium.

Answer 5

Stainless is hard and heavy. Alluminium is soft and light. Both will not attract magnets .

Answer 6

Weight

Note a magnet will not stick to stainless steel either. :-)

Answer 7

aluminium is a metal whereas stainless steel is an alloy(of iron and carbon)

Answer 8

A magnet will not stick to aluminum.