Talk:Spark testing

A fact from Spark testing appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know column on 19 May 2009 (check views). The text of the entry was as follows:

Did you know... that spark testing (pictured) is a quick and inexpensive way to determine the general classification of ferrous materials using only a grinding wheel?

A record of the entry may be seen at Wikipedia:Recent additions/2009/May.

Wikipedia

Physics behind the phenomena[edit]

It would be interesting to include in the article some information about the physics behind these phenomena; for example, why do higher-carbon steels display different spark branching patterns than lower-carbon steels? --Delirium 21:38, 26 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The "Engineering Magazine" has some information on this, however I was reluctant to add the information because it's quite old and don't know if there's newer information available. Wizard191 (talk) 13:06, 17 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The Wikipedia article on pyrophoricity states that spark testing is an example of that phenomenon. The pyrophoricity discussion page has a very brief discussion of whether that is actually true. Peter Chastain (talk) 00:34, 20 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks[edit]

What a nice article. Thanks Victuallers (talk) 09:53, 17 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks! Wizard191 (talk) 13:06, 17 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Disambiguation[edit]

The other major use of the term spark testing is in reference to the use of a high voltage to test insulating materials for breakdown, or to test chemical liners for pinholes. Wikipedia does not seem to have an article for this yet (though we probably should -- any volunteers?). Should we nevertheless disambiguate the term? Also, one technique for the safety testing of explosives uses electrostatic discharge. The Wikipedia article does not call that spark testing, but I wonder if we should disambiguate to it (or whether that would just cause more confusion). Peter Chastain (talk) 00:34, 20 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Good call on the other meanings. I googled "spark testing explosives" and found [1] & [2] that use the "spark testing" terminology, so I added a hatnote for it. As for sparking testing insulation, once the article is made I have no problem creating a disambiguation page. Wizard191 (talk) 13:26, 20 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Image Erroneous[edit]

This is an excellent article. I just want to point out that I believe that the image from Oberg & Jones 1918 has the figure numbering reversed, with H being wrought iron, and so forth. This is an error in the original. Not sure if were ever corrected.Psparks60 (talk) 16:17, 10 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]