EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS & DETERMINATION OF VARIOUS PLAIN CARBON STEELS BY USING SPARK TESTING

Abstract

 Knowledge of material properties, production methods and manufacturing processes are each important subject in the material science discipline. Material testing methods are standardized by several organizations, such as ASTM, ISO, ASM and DIN etc. Materials are tested and their mechanical properties are tabulated in handbooks. This project will explain a study conducted on how a certain number of carbon steels might be identified through the observation of the sparks projected when a specimen is held against a grinding wheel. There are many factors that can change the spark patterns that are projected, but the main goal of this project is to attempt to standardize a method of spark testing and how it is performed. The study was conducted on six different grades of carbon steels that are commonly used in manufacturing processes. A reference manual was created from the experimental data cataloguing the spark pictures. This manual can be used by students and potentially by machine shops to identify samples of the included materials. This can lead to significant savings for machine shops by using a relatively easy, user friendly method, to identify unknown stock sitting around in the shop.