indentifying filler

[sickboi55]

i needed some stainless filler for a small project so a buddy brought me one rod. i welded the part and it came out fine, but then i got thinking. the rod had no markings, so im not 100% sure it was stainless. it sparks, and is non-magnetic. what are the chances this is some aluminum alloy? would it have gone to hell when i tried to feed it into the puddle?
thanks guys.
Travis

[shovelon]

Well if ya got a grinder, alum will not discolor if it gets hot, stainless will. Also alum will not shoot out sparks on the grinder.

[walker]

I've tried alum filler welding stainless and SS filler on aluminum, accidentally, and it flat out won't do it!

[B_C]

It was most likely Stainless filler.......what grade......Well that's a good question.....

[Silicon-based]

If it sparks, it's not Aluminum. Aluminum is softer than stainless and has a lower melting point. Heat the rod with a propane torch. If it glows red, it's stainless. If it melts before it's hot enough to glow, it's Alum.

John