How can I test to see if piece is aluminum (besides magnet)?

[suttonsutton]

Just started to collect metal art-how can I test to see if they are made of aluminum (besides magnet)?

If anyone can suggest a site that goes into detail on testing different metals, I would appeciate it!

Thanks

[Tired Iron]

suttonsutton, Hi! I have lots of metal art, no magnet needed as there is no aluminum. See website below! Contact me if you're interested!

[fritchie]

Probably most "aluminum" sculpture is made of a magnesium - aluminum alloy, or some other alloy; probably for strength. Just why is the material important?

[GlennT]

You can test different metals by knowing what the specific gravity is for a given metal. Then you weigh it alone, and then suspend it by wire or rope in a container of water so that it does not touch the container, just the water. (after having weighed the container with its water alone first) This will give you a ratio between its mass and weight, that you can compare with a chart that gives specific gravity numbers for each metal. If it is an alloy, then you may be screwed, but at least you would know that it is not a pure metal.

Somebody here more scientificly minded may be able to explain this better, or you can do an internet search on specific gravity.