Big differences! Stainless usually has around 10-12% minimum chromium content plus some Nickel, both of which help to make it corrosion resistant, many, many different grades, and differing properties. Austentic (300 series) the most corrosion resistant with 316, the 400 series stainless (ferritic/martensitic) is easier to machine and is magnetic.However, I have observed magnetism in small sections (insulin syringe needles) of 316 stainless, after some work has been performed on them. Most Stainless can't readily be hardened through heat treatment, but some will work harden in the blink of an eye (304..)

Silver Steel is a high carbon, low chromium (<0.5%) Tool steel, 'silver' is an old description that's stuck, from when Chromium was added and gave it a bright appearance. A reasonably tough steel in its as supplied (annealed) form, can be easily flame hardened, and has many, many, uses.Making blades, taps, tools, wear plates…lots more.

What you need to do is get yourself across to http://www.westyorkssteel.com and spend some reading time there – well worth it!

I would guess that what you have is stainless – I've never heard silver steel shortened to s/steel – but cut a tiny bit off and try and flame harden it , and that will definitely tell you

As a beginner I was sold a job lot of easy work-hardening stainless as 'silver steel' at a car boot.

Boy I got frustrated trying to harden it… I was convinced I was doing something wrong, because the more I heated it and quenched it the softer it got!

Neil

Hi Kenneth,

Cut a wafer thin slice off the rod, heat the "wafer" to red hot and quench in water. If the "wafer" then breaks like glass when bent and can scratch the original rod easily then it's probably silver steel. Also solver steel will be readily and actively attacked by strong acids, stainless steel should not.

Hope this helps.

Peter.

Silver steel can also be in26" & 39" lengths, just cut a small piece of the end & heat it to red & quench it,do the "file test" if it slides over it then it's silver steel[or a high carbon steel] if it cuts then it's not,there are various grades of stainless some magnetic some not.

Hi Keen
A simple spark test on off hand grinder S.S sparks are like a firework sparkler stainless is torpedo shape .
Dont forget safety glasses
Nobby