[TheForge] Identifying metals

[Hochewa at aol.com]

To All,
If the bar is regular in shape and if you have a fairly accurate scale, try  
to determine the density of the alloy.  Monel should have about the same  
density as copper, i.e., .323 pounds per cubic inch.  Any of the super  alloys 
will be .3 or less.
 
Hochewa.
 
In a message dated 10/5/2005 5:03:41 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
jonned at hvc.rr.com writes:

Hi  all,

Have a question about some mystery metal I picked up.

I  have a bar of a heavy metal that I thought was cold rolled steel. The  
outside surface is a grayish bown color from age, and is silvery on the  
inside. I forged it hot under a power hammer and it is tough, moves ok but  
is hard. I was about to try to do a test hardening when I found it was  
non-magnetic, totally.

My guess is that it is monel, but don't have  a way to narrow it down. Any 
suggestions?

Jonathan