telling the difference between 1084 and 15N20

[440-c]

Hello
I have 2 flat bars one is 1084 the other is 15N20. the problem is i can't tell which one is which. Both are the same size. Is there a way to tell the difference between the two? The colors are off the ends.

 

[A.McPherson]

Dip them in some acid briefly. The 1084 will be darker

 

[Metalhead0483]

Yeah, that one at least is super easy

 

[JTknives]

Dip them in some acid briefly. The 1084 will be darker

Not all the time. I have had situations where 15n20 will etch dark when it’s annealed. Once it’s heat treated it will be lighter then the 1084.

I woukd do a simple heat treat on a small chunk from each bar and then grind, sand and etch to see the difference in colors.