I've got some 1" diameter Ali (i think) curtain poles that I can get from work for nothing.
How can I test that it is ali. It's light weight but with a polished finish, and it files real easy.

Brad.

With a magnet, aluminium is a non ferrous metal so should be non magnetic.

If it fizzes when you put it in a concentrated solution of Sodium Hydroxide it is probably an Aluminium Alloy
(gives off Hydrogen).

Brad it will be alloy on caravans but make sure it dose not gave a split down the length
Graham

Cheers fellas.
Can't believe I didn't think of the magnet test.

Brad.

You could try dropping a very strong magnet down the tube and see if the eddy currents slow the fall of the magnet.

That's very cool...