[SEL] Finding ground off serial numbers

[Peter Lowe]

Hi Guys

I have a technical one for you gurus

When I worked at the steel mill in Newcastle, Australia. the laboratories were able to detect and read things that have been ground off.
The company engraved all their tools with BHP, the rouges would grind that off and steal the tools. If caught at a gate bag inspection with suspect tools, they could take them to the lab and detect the engraved BHP. By stamping or engraving it alters the grain structure of the steel and it can be picked up by some sort of spectrograph.
Does anyone in the US know of such a technique, I have a R&V guy in Texas that needs to lift a serial number from a 4hp triumph line engine.

Regards
Peter Lowe
R&V Engine Registrar
Australia
Ph: 61-266453455
http://www.oldengine.org/members/plowe/rv-engines/rvpage.htm
http://www.oldengine.org/members/plowe/rv-engines/rv-register.htm