Maya Ellison
Metal and plastic are two materials with distinct characteristics. Telling them apart can be tricky, especially when they are used together in objects like faucets and camera bodies. One of the most reliable ways to distinguish metal from plastic is by their weight, as metal is denser and heavier than plastic. Another differentiating factor is temperature; plastic feels warmer to the touch than metal, which feels cool. If you suspect an object is made of metal or plastic, you can test it by holding a flame to its shavings—plastic will burn, but metal will not.
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What You'll Learn
Weight: Metal is denser and heavier than plastic
Metal and plastic are two very different materials with distinct properties. One of the most noticeable differences between the two is their weight. Metal is denser and heavier than plastic. This difference in weight can be used as a simple and effective way to distinguish between metal and plastic objects.
When comparing two similar objects, one made of metal and the other of plastic, the metal object will almost always be heavier. This weight difference is due to the higher density of metals compared to plastics. Density refers to how closely packed the particles of a substance are, and metals tend to have a much denser structure than plastics.
For example, if you have two identical-looking figurines, one made of metal and the other of plastic, the metal figurine will be significantly heavier. This weight difference will be easily noticeable when holding or lifting the objects. The metal figurine will feel heavier in your hand, and if dropped or thrown, it will have a greater impact due to its higher mass.
In some cases, the weight difference between metal and plastic may not be as apparent, especially when dealing with small or thin objects. In such cases, it may be necessary to compare the weights of similar objects made of known materials to get a sense of the expected weight difference. Additionally, other factors such as the presence of paint or other coatings can affect the overall weight, making it more challenging to distinguish solely based on weight.
While weight can be a helpful indicator, it is important to note that it may not always be the most reliable method. Some high-quality plastics can be made to be quite heavy, and thin or hollow metal objects may be surprisingly light. Therefore, while weight can provide a good initial indication, it is often worth combining this test with other methods, such as visual inspection or the use of a flame test, to confirm the material definitively.
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Warmth: Metal feels cool, plastic feels warm
Warmth is one of the ways to tell metal from plastic. Metal feels cool, while plastic feels warm. This is because metal is a good conductor of heat, and plastic is an insulator. When you touch a metal object, the heat from your hand is conducted through the metal and dissipated into the surrounding air. This means that the heat from your hand is quickly drawn away, making the metal feel cool. On the other hand, when you touch plastic, the heat from your hand is not conducted away, so the plastic feels warm.
This phenomenon is not due to a difference in temperature but rather a difference in how energy travels through the materials. Metal has a high heat capacity, meaning it can absorb a lot of heat before it feels hot. It also conducts heat efficiently, so when you touch it, the warmth from your hand is quickly distributed throughout the metal object. This makes it harder for the metal to reach the same temperature as your finger, so it continues to draw heat away, making it feel cool.
Plastic, on the other hand, is a poor conductor of heat. It steals heat slowly and does not transfer it away from the spot you touch quickly enough. Plastic also has a lower heat capacity than metal, meaning it needs less heat to feel hot. So, when you touch plastic, the spot you touch quickly reaches the same temperature as your finger, and you no longer feel it as cold.
There are other ways to distinguish metal from plastic. One simple method is to observe the surface appearance, looking for any colours or marks that could indicate the presence of metal. Another approach is to test the density of the object by weighing it. Metal is denser than plastic, so a metal object will generally feel heavier than a plastic one of the same size. However, this method may not always be reliable, as a solid, quality plastic object may weigh more than a hollow, thin metal object.
More advanced testing methods can also be employed, such as the spark test, chip test, magnet test, or torch test, which can provide insights into the specific type of metal. For example, the spark test involves grinding the metal against a wheel to observe the length, colour, and form of the sparks, which can indicate the family of metal. The chip test uses a chisel to break off a small piece of the metal, examining the size of the chip, the texture of the edges, and the smoothness to gain information about the metal's structure and fragility. The magnet test determines whether the metal is magnetic, although it should be noted that some metals, like stainless steel, are non-magnetic. Finally, the torch test involves applying heat to the metal to observe its melting behaviour and consistency.
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Appearance: Metal has a metallic finish
Metal and plastic differ significantly in appearance. Metal has a metallic finish, which means it has a shine or lustre that plastic lacks. Metal can have a wide range of colours, from the red-orange of copper to the deep grey of lead, and including the yellow hues of brass and bronze. Metal can also have a patina, a multicoloured film-like buildup that occurs as the metal reacts with the air, which is especially common on bronze.
Metals also have distinctive spark profiles. For example, wrought iron sparks have long, straight shafts and burn a bright yellow-white, while high-carbon steel sparks are pure white and form erratic branching patterns.
Additionally, metals can be identified by their reaction to certain chemicals. For example, nitric acid can be used to test for gold or silver. A small, out-of-the-way spot on the metal is filed down, and a few drops of acid are applied. If the metal is genuine gold or silver, the acid will cause a reaction.
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Reaction to flame: Plastic burns, metal does not
Plastics are composed of organic materials that are part of a group of materials known as polymers. These polymers can be subdivided into two groups: naturally occurring and man-made. Man-made polymers are created from organic materials found in nature. Approximately 53 billion pounds of synthetic polymers are manufactured each year in the United States alone.
Most plastics are flammable and will burn when exposed to an open flame, releasing flammable gases that can fuel the fire even further. Plastics primarily made up of carbon and hydrogen burn very well. The fire resistance of a particular plastic varies based on its composition and the type of flame it’s subjected to.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), used widely in pipes, cables, roofing, and flooring, is less flammable than most other plastics but will still ignite in the event of a fire. Other plastics like polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) will melt at temperatures of 130–160°C and catch fire at temperatures of 400°C or less. Due to their relatively low melting points, virtually all plastics must be specially treated with flame retardants before use.
However, flame retardants only delay ignition for a few seconds and may not always be effective in fire prevention. They also contain chemicals that pose a threat to human health. When plastics burn, they may produce large quantities of thick, black smoke, and the rate of burn and amount of smoke generated can vary widely depending on the type of plastic and flame retardant chemicals present.
On the other hand, metals do not burn in a reaction to flame. A flame test can be used to identify metals by the unique colours they emit when heated. Electrons jump to higher energy levels, then release coloured light as they return to the ground state. The flame colour can vary with the metal's size and its electrons' affinity to the atomic nucleus.
While a flame test is a useful qualitative analysis test, it cannot identify all metals because not all metal ions yield flame colours. Some metal ions display colours that are similar to each other, making it hard to tell them apart. Nevertheless, the flame test is still useful for identifying numerous metals and metalloids.
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Magnetism: Plastic is not magnetic, metal can be
One of the simplest ways to tell metal from plastic is to test its magnetism. Plastic is not magnetic, whereas metal can be.
Metals can be ferrous, meaning they contain iron, or non-ferrous, without iron. Ferrous metals are typically magnetic, while non-ferrous metals are non-magnetic. However, some metals, like steel, can be magnetic or non-magnetic, depending on their grade.
When identifying a metal, you can use a magnet to determine whether it is ferrous or non-ferrous. If there is an attraction, it is likely a ferrous metal such as steel, iron, or another iron alloy. If not, it is a non-ferrous metal like aluminium, copper, gold, or silver.
Plastic, on the other hand, is never magnetic. However, researchers have developed plastic magnets made from organic polymers. These plastic magnets are non-metallic and are used in computer hardware and medical devices. But these are the exception, and regular plastics are not attracted to magnets.
So, if you're trying to distinguish metal from plastic, a magnet can be a useful tool. Metals may be attracted to magnets, whereas plastics will not respond to a magnetic force.
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Frequently asked questions
One way to distinguish metal from plastic is by weight. Metal is denser and heavier than plastic.
If you can't get a sense of the weight, you can try touching it. Metal usually feels cool to the touch, while plastic feels warm.
If you are able to, you can try scratching the object and burning the shavings. If it's plastic, it will burn, but metal will not.
If you are trying to identify a faucet, for example, you can try removing the handle to get a better sense of the weight. You can also try using a magnet—if it's magnetic, it's likely steel.
