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Non-Destructive

Positive Material Identification

Positive material identification (PMI) is used to analyze and identify material grade and alloy composition for quality and safety control.

Tool detecting analysing materials composition

A rapid, non-destructive method, positive material identification is performed on a wide range of components and assets, and provides a semi-quantitative chemical analysis. It is used for both material verification and identification.

The method is utilized for quality control and safety compliance, and is an integral part of both production and asset integrity management across many industries including oil and gas, power, chemical, pharmaceutical, nuclear, aerospace and fabrication. Positive material identification can prevent potential product failure in manufacturing. At oil and gas, power generation and pharmaceutical plants, pre-service and in-service inspection of critical components and welds with PMI can prevent breakdown and its costly consequences.   

Benefits of PMI Include:

  • Ensures products/components have been manufactured using the correct alloy
  • Finds potentially mixed-up alloys
  • Identifies if the wrong material has been used
  • Ensures materials conform to the correct standard and specification (both customer and industry)
  • Ensures welded components have used the correct filler material
Close up image of PMI weld

Precision performs PMI using either two techniques:

  • X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer

    This is the most common method and the portability of the hand-held equipment allows Precision to perform PMI on-site at our customers’ premises. The device scans the metal material and identifies its key elements. However, it cannot detect carbon and some lighter elements and is not suitable for identification of pure carbon steel materials.

  • Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES)

    This method can detect almost all types of elements including carbon and lighter elements and carbon steel. Although not as portable as XRF analyzers, the equipment can be transported to sites and used at high elevations with proper lifting arrangements.

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Ready to get started?

By coming to us for your positive material identification, you can be assured of a rapid, reliable service with accurate results that will provide your products and assets required quality and safety standards in today’s markets and industries. 

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