Ever held a piece of metal and wondered, “Is this aluminum?” Read on to unravel the mystery of detecting aluminum without a metal detector!
“Metal Detecting” has been my favorite hobby for more than a decade. Hence, I have researched tons of methods to detect aluminum with my fellow detectorists, and now I am confirmed with the easiest approach!
Even though most metal detectors are set off by aluminum, some detectors fail to detect aluminum leaving you with doubt about how to distinguish aluminum.
If you had the same prob, you won’t have it anymore after going through what I have found!
As I had the same puzzle, I built up a test mechanism inclusive of X-Ray test and Magnet Test.
With that, here’s what I found about, how to detect aluminum without a metal detector?
With X-Ray you can easily distinguish Aluminum without a metal detector. X-Ray goes through a few metals like aluminum, nickel, and steel. Among them, aluminum doesn’t attract magnets. Hence, if the metal which you could see through with X-Ray doesn’t attract magnets, most probably it’s Aluminum.
However, it is important for you to know the exact way of identifying aluminum through the method I found.
Importantly you should be confirmed on what are the other ways you could detect aluminum, and what methods would fail if you followed.
I will clarify all what you need to know from my firsthand experience.
So, let’s start our interesting journey toward a successful test!
Can You Detect Aluminum Without a Metal Detector?
Yes, of course! Enough and more methods are there to identify aluminum in the absence of a metal detector.
Importantly, metal detectors fail to detect aluminum most of the time.
In contrast, other tests such as visual identification, weight, and sound tests, magnet and rust tests, chemical tests, etc. provided me with good results.
However, to get the most straightforward answer, I recommend the X-Ray test as it shortlists the possible answers up to a few such as aluminum, nickel, and steel.
To verify whether it is aluminum, and neither nickel nor steel, you can do a simple secondary test such as the magnet test which I did.
Best Way to Detect Aluminum Without a Metal Detector
Follow this step-by-step guide to detect aluminum without a metal detector.
- Do an X-Ray test on the silverish metal piece you have.
- If you couldn’t see through it, it is not aluminum.
- If it is see-through with X-Ray, it might be either aluminum, nickel, or steel.
- To verify it is aluminum, do a magnet test as a secondary test.
- If the metal piece gets attracted to the magnet, it is not aluminum! It might be either nickel or steel.
- If the silverish metal piece which was see-through with an X-Ray does not attract magnets, it must be aluminum.
To distinguish aluminum from the other metals that X-Ray goes through, I followed a couple of secondary tests other than the magnet test.
However, the magnet test was more straightforward.
So, let’s have a look at some alternative methods you can use to detect aluminum without even touching a metal detector.
Methods for Detecting Aluminum Without a Metal Detector
Now I reveal the secondary tests I did after I got confirmed that I could see through the metal piece I was referring to, with the use of X-Ray.
Magnet and Rust Tests
Aluminum is less attractive to magnets. Contrastingly, nickel and steel are more attractive.
I examined why aluminum is less attractive to magnets. The reason is that electrons of aluminum do not align in a way attractive to magnets.
Since steel has a lot of iron in it, it is more attractive to magnets.
Unlike aluminum, the electrons of steel align well, so it is certainly attracted to magnets.
Nickel too on the other hand is attracted by magnets due to its solid electron alignment.
For this reason, nickel is recognized as a ferromagnetic material which means its magnetic susceptibility is high, and considered as a permanent solid attracted by magnets.
Therefore, I determined the magnet test as the perfect secondary test to detect aluminum.
With the X-Ray test I did, I was left with nickel, steel, and aluminum and among them, aluminum was the only metal that was not attracted by a magnet.
When I was researching the rust tests, I found both aluminum and nickels are rust-resistant, but steel can go rust unless it is stainless steel.
This is because aluminum and nickel have an oxide layer on their surface, but steel does not.
However, I needed to go for another test to distinguish aluminum from nickel, since both provide similar results at the rust test. Hence, I was not comfortable with it.
Therefore, I recommend the magnet test as the best secondary test which you could distinguish aluminum from the other metals which X-Ray goes through.
Other than these primary and secondary tests I have described above, the tests below would also be useful for you to be more specific in your decision.
Visual Identification
Aluminum is grayish in comparison to its similar metals. Nickel and steel are shiny and silver in their look.
Contrastingly, Aluminum is dull and less shiny as it rapidly reacts with air.
When it is exposed, it gets covered with a layer of aluminum oxide and becomes dull in color.
Recall the metal plates in your kitchen, and they are the exact color of Aluminum.
Most of the metal plates are made of Aluminum as it stays stainless since it has a layer of Aluminum Oxide.
Recently, I have identified a beer can collected in Nevada using this visual identification method.
For further clarification, I checked the same beer can with my metal detector and the results were accurate.
Weight and Sound Tests
Aluminum is noticeably lighter in weight! This made it easy to distinguish it from Nickel and steel.
I researched the weight-to-volume ratio of the three metals I doubted. Then I found that aluminum was the lightest of them!
A cubic centimeter of Aluminum weighs around 2.699 grams, while nickel and steel are of 8.908 g/cm3 and 7.85 g/cm3 respectively.
Likewise, of all the silverish metals I could see through with X-Ray, aluminum was the lightest.
If you want to be more specific in your answer, you can go through a speed-of-sound test.
As I researched, Aluminum had a speed of sound of 3040 (m/s) while nickel and steel had 3000 (m/s) and 3220 (m/s) respectively.
Since these results had a tiny difference even though the test was expensive, I was more impressed with the weight-to-volume ratio, as results were clearer, and the test was easy.
Therefore, I recommend you go ahead with it too.
Chemical Tests
The best chemical test that distinguishes aluminum from steel is the phosphoric acid test.
On the steel surface, the phosphoric acid starts bubbling, and sometimes it leaves a black residue. However, the change it makes on the aluminum surface is not that noticeable.
That doesn’t mean that phosphoric acid does not react with aluminum as it weakens the oxide layer of it.
But in comparison to steel, this little change that aluminum would have is hardly noticeable.
I successfully used the chlorine test to distinguish aluminum from nickel.
When I poured chlorine onto nickel, nickel compounds got formed and they dissolved in green when I threw them into water.
Contrastingly, aluminum made aluminum chloride which was a powder that appeared in a greyish-white color.
I recommend you refrain from these two chemical tests if you are unable to follow at least the minimum safety precautions such as wearing glasses and gloves and mixing the materials in very low quantities, conducting the tests in an area where electric ports are not nearby etc.
Can You Use Your Phone to Detect Metal?
Yes, but it is not professional! Many apps are developed for this purpose by now, but as a true fan of this hobby, I’m not a big fan of mobile apps.
One reason is their guarantee is always suspicious.
At the end of the day, a mobile application is a computer program, hence it might have loopholes that cannot get adopted towards every scenario.
Next, it bypasses all the activities we should undertake in this hobby; therefore, its frank joy is being skipped by these apps.
Anyhow, yes there are mobile apps that can detect metals.
Limitations and Considerations When Detecting Aluminum Without a Metal Detector
Since many metal detectors fail to detect aluminum, I had to follow this self-developed test series. Anyway, it was quite challenging.
Now I’m going to share those difficulties I had to face and how I overcame them.
Limitations Typical to the X-Ray Test
I started with the X-Ray test as picking up the few possible outcomes first would make my life easier.
With an X-Ray test I desired to get left with three probable answers of aluminum, nickel, and steel only.
However, finding an X-Ray machine was a challenge for me. I had to book a time slot in a laboratory just to do the test.
The X-Ray is cancerous as you know, hence I hired a lab officer since I had no knowledge on how to operate the X-Ray machine safely. I advise you to do the same!
The lab officer shared with me that not all the metals that are seen through with X-Ray are either aluminum, steel, or nickel!
Anyway, he confirmed that as per the weight range of the metal blocks I had presented to him they should be one of those three.
Hence, make sure that the metal block you are going to test does not exceed the weight of 3 g/cm3.
If it is beyond that range, nothing to test on it, they are not aluminum.
Color Difference Wasn’t Much Contrasting
Aluminum, nickel, and steel belong to the same color range, but Aluminum is much dull. Identifying this tiny color difference was never easy.
Sometimes, the random metal pieces we find might have been applied with artificial colors. For this reason, I am not a big fan of color tests anyhow.
In Particular, the set of metals I got shortlisted were more into silver.
Hence, I had the doubt about whether they were made shiny forcefully and whether was I viewing them in their real color.
The Results of the Speed-Of-Sound Test Weren’t Contrasting Too
As I have described above, I got quite similar results when I was figuring out the differences of the three suspicious metals in form of their speed-of-sound.
On the other hand, the cost of doing a proper speed-of-sound test was quite high.
The affordable alternatives such as using a mobile application had no valid guarantees.
With this all I recommend you use the speed-of-sound test as your last option.
Unless you commit on a proper speed-of-sound test in a professional laboratory, at least I won’t guarantee this test.
Chemical Tests Are Dangerous Unless You Have Followed Safety Precautions
If you are unable to adhere at least for the basic safety precautions, please refrain from doing chemical tests.
Especially, in the test I undertook to distinguish nickel from aluminum, I had to pour chlorine on to nickel where nickel got dissolved at the end.
A metal getting dissolved means the reaction is undoubtedly powerful, hence it is a must that you undertake the safety precautions such as wearing gloves and glasses, using the materials in little quantities, and engaging in the test little far from the electric ports etc.
So as for the chemical test, I did to distinguish aluminum from steel as I had to pour phosphoric acid on the surfaces.
Acids are undoubtedly hazardous; hence you should give priority to safety!
The recycling rate of aluminum cans in the United States is about 50%, demonstrating how often aluminum detection might be used in recycling processes.
epa.gov
Safety Considerations When Detecting Aluminum
- Protective Equipment: Always wear appropriate protective gear while conducting these tests. This typically includes safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes, gloves to shield your hands, and potentially a lab coat or apron to protect your skin and clothing from any chemicals used.
- Proper Ventilation: When working with chemicals, make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling any harmful fumes. If the chemical tests are conducted indoors, ensure the area is equipped with an appropriate exhaust or fume hood.
- Correct Handling of Equipment: If you’re using an X-ray machine, it’s crucial to have a trained professional operate the equipment, given the potential health risks associated with radiation exposure. Always adhere to guidelines for safe operation of such equipment.
- Chemical Storage and Disposal: If your tests involve chemicals, it’s important to know how to store them safely when not in use, as well as how to dispose of them correctly once you’re finished. Many chemicals can’t simply be poured down the drain or thrown in the trash, as they could pose environmental hazards.
- Emergency Procedures: Know what to do in case of an emergency. This includes knowing where your nearest first aid kit is, having the contact information for local poison control centers, and understanding the first aid procedures for chemical spills or accidental ingestion.
- Safety Training: Before embarking on these kinds of tests, consider getting some basic safety training. This can help you understand how to work safely with potentially hazardous substances or equipment.
Congrats folks! Now you know exactly how to detect aluminum without a metal detector.
You can apply the above methods to identify aluminum valuables that you have collected from your home yard, school yard, or any other place.
If you’re interested in the aluminum locations, read my comprehensive guide about the best places to find Aluminum metal detecting.
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
FAQs
How do you detect aluminum?
With X-Ray, you can see through aluminum. Among all the silverish metals which you could see through with X-Ray, aluminum is the only metal that is not attractive towards magnets.
Does aluminum show up on a metal detector?
Many metal detectors fail to detect aluminum. This is because aluminum is detected only when it is in active means. But nickel, iron and cobalt can be detected both in their active and passive statuses. Hence, the latter metals are easily identifiable by metal detectors, but not aluminum.
Can I use my phone as a metal detector?
Many apps have been developed by now with the purpose of detecting metals. But for me, their reliability is a question. Unless you do not have any other alternatives, refrain from using mobile apps to detect metals. Try out some professional tests as much as possible.
Are home tests for detecting aluminum reliable?
While home tests like the magnet test or visual inspection can provide indications, they’re not as precise or reliable as laboratory methods such as X-ray fluorescence or chemical tests.
Did I cover all you wanted to know about How to Detect Aluminum Without a Metal Detector?
In this article, I have explored how to detect aluminum without a metal detector using several methods and I have explained the pros and cons of each method as well.
You can identify aluminum without a metal detector, by using the X-Ray test. With X-Ray you can see through a few metals only, such as aluminum, nickel, and steel.
After getting your doubt shortlisted to these, you can use the magnet test as aluminum does not attract to magnets while nickel and steel do.
To ensure your conclusion you can follow one safer test, which is weight-to-volume ratio. If the metal you are referring to is 2.699g/cm3, it should be aluminum.
You can identify aluminum when a metal detector isn’t with you. Give a try witty your preferred method and let me know your feedback!
