Counterfeit Steel Identified by Exterior Signs
Steel represents a key component in many manufacturing projects and activities, from construction and automotive development to engineering and agriculture. Unfortunately, as demand for steel has increased, so too has the number of counterfeit steel products flooding the market. In order to protect individuals from wasting their money on fake steel, it is important to understand how to distinguish genuine from fake by appearance. This article offers a comprehensive list of guiding factors to help determine if steel is real or counterfeit.
Inspection of Surface Quality
The surface of counterfeit steel tends to have a coarse and rough texture due to the low-grade materials used in its production. Conversely, genuine steel features a much smoother and reflective surface. If a steel product appears to have streaks, bumps or uneven texture on its surface, it is likely not authentic.
Examination of Chemical Composition
The chemical composition of steel is an excellent indicator of its authenticity. Counterfeiting is often characterized by a lack of detail in terms of the metals or alloys used in construction, which provides producers of steel with an essential clue about their products. To get the correct information about the chemical composition of authentic steel, customers need to identify a trusted and certified supplier with the knowledge and experience to guarantee genuine steel.
Evaluation of Strength
The strength of steel, that is the ratio between the amount of energy it takes to bend, break or compress and the amount of steel used, is another crucial indicator of its authenticity. Genuine steel consists of high-grade metals and alloys, resulting in greater tensile strength. On the contrary, counterfeit steel is typically composed of low-grade material, resulting in lower bearing capacity. By testing a steel products strength through a series of bending and compression tests, it is possible to determine its authenticity.
Assessment of Shear Resistance
Another way to identify counterfeit steel is to examine its shear resistance. This can be done using a shear test to analyze the products adherence to the surface and its overall resistance to heat. Since counterfeit steel is usually produced with lower-grade materials, its shear resistance is usually lower than that of genuine steel.
Identification of Manufacturer
The label on a steel product is a reliable indicator of its origin and true quality. Genuine steel products are generally accompanied by a certification label or stamp that provides detailed information about its manufacturer, grade and type of steel. Counterfeit steel is often without these information and often has no manufacturer identified.
Conclusion
In conclusion, counterfeit steel is widespread and a burden to customers around the world. To protect yourself from purchasing faulty or poor quality steel products, it is important to be able to distinguish genuine from fake using exterior symptoms including surface quality, chemical composition, strength, shear resistance, manufacturer, etc. By following the steps outlined in this article, customers can make an informed decision when selecting steel.
