strange metal

[hishergarrett]

I recently found these pieces of metal while detecting a mid 1800's housesite.I don't think that they are of the same age though.They are about 1.5 inches wide at the widest and are about 1/8 " thick and are very heavy for their size.There was 30 of them in the same hole about 12 inches deep.When scratched,they are very silvery and shiny.They were not rusted but will stick to a magnet.I have asked a lot of people but noone can tell me what they are.I hope someone here can help.Thanks.

 

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[taz42o]

Stainless steel.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I resized your pics for you hishergarrett, hope you don't mind?
Trying to look at big pics gives me a headache!

These look like carbide teeth to a large circular saw blade?

Dave

 

[CC Hunter]

The metal could be nickle or nickle alloy, as that is both non-ferrous and also magnetic.

Even stainless steel can corrode in the soil over time, and begin to get pinhole pitting. Where does this metal drop out with discrimination on your metal detector? I believe that stainless will drop out fairly low on the scale.

CC Hunter

 

[traderoftreasures]

tungsten carbide cutting inserts

 

[CC Hunter]

Tungsten carbide by itself would have very low to no ferromagnetic properties.

However, tungsten carbide products are often made from tungsten carbide powder cemented with another metal. This metal is often cobalt or nickel which is magnetic. 6% cobalt by weight is a typical percentage. Cobalt cemented tungsten carbide is magnetic enough to be picked up with a strong magnet.

CC Hunter

 

[hishergarrett]

tungsten carbide cutting inserts

Thanks!What would they have been used for?

 

[hishergarrett]

Tungsten carbide by itself would have very low to no ferromagnetic properties.

However, tungsten carbide products are often made from tungsten carbide powder cemented with another metal. This metal is often cobalt or nickel which is magnetic. 6% cobalt by weight is a typical percentage. Cobalt cemented tungsten carbide is magnetic enough to be picked up with a strong magnet.

CC Hunter

Thanks!That's a lot of info.That clears up a lot of questions I had.Thanks again!