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How to distinguish zinc from aluminum?

How can you tell whether a metal is ZINC, or ALUMINUM?

Peter Gabriel
car buff - Douglaston, New York
2005

The easiest way to do so with no tools is by weight, Peter. Weigh it, then immerse the object in water to see how much it displaces. Compare the density to published charts.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005

Simple aluminum testing solution is 20% sodium hydroxide [affil links] solution. This solution dissolves aluminum(fizzes!). For zinc you can use 2 teaspoons salt/1 teaspoon copper sulphate/1 cup water solution.If object is made of zinc droplet of this solution must make it black. Both procedures works only on well cleaned surfaces.

Good luck!

Goran Budija
- Zagreb , Croatia
2005

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