Determining Cast Zinc from Aluminum

[lwhiway]

It was asked how to one could tell the differences between Cast Zinc and Aluminum or Cast Aluminum, using non-destructive methods.

I only know of one and that being by taste, but I wouldn't want to say that out loud.

Ideas?

Thanks
LW

[mrainey]

the weight?

aluminum = .0975 lb/cubic inch
zinc = .256 lb/cubic inch

[lwhiway]

mrainey, that is/was my first thinking and offering for the question, but let's say, Would there be a kinda sorta testing that could be done without it being a heavy handed type of destructive testing? Say light scraping of slivers and how these slivers might react with flame.

Or if a spot on the material was found which could be tested destructively using an acid which might not react to both or differently between the 2?

Sounds foolish I'm sure.

Thanks for the reply.

BTW, it looks like it will take a years worth of daily attempts at reading to cover this entire site. A wealth of knowledge to be gained.

LW

[ViperTX]

Zinc should be repelled by a magnet.

[Geof]

Zinc will react very readily with dilute hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), dipped in the acid it will genrate bubbles. Aluminum will not react at all with dilute acid.

[greybeard]

Aluminium reacts with hot washing soda . Zinc doesn't.
John

[HuFlungDung]

Why is destructive testing necessary? Find the density of the part, using displacement of water and a weigh scale.