Positive Material Identification (PMI)

Positive material identification (PMI) is an essential non-destructive testing (NDT) method utilized to verify that supplied materials conform to the proper standards and specifications. Specifically, PMI is used to confirm that the chemical composition of the metallic parts has the correct percentage of key elements, this ensures that material properties such as corrosion resistance meets the requirements.

The PMI 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 generation, chemical, pharmaceutical, nuclear, aerospace, and metal fabrication.

The material testing can be performed on-site before the parts go into the production process or for final products. Retroactive PMI is used to test in-service process equipment and piping systems. PMI can be utilized on a variety of part sizes – from large complex parts to things as small as the weld fill material or small fasteners.

Handheld X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) is the most common PMI method and the portability of the hand-held equipment allows to perform PMI on-site at the production plant or factory floor. The handheld XRF instrument scans the material and provides chemical composition and alloy grade name.  

One of the most common causes of industrial accidents is failures in mechanical integrity. Examples of this include rupture of pressurized systems, stress corrosion cracking, flow accelerated corrosion especially in power/nuclear plant technology, and insufficient strength of welded joins.

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 potentially costly and dangerous consequences.    

PMI testing means that companies can make sure that every single part in their system meets specifications, critical replacement parts are the right alloy grade and all new materials are exactly what they should be. This important step can be the key difference between seamless operations and catastrophic safety failures.

PMI is a widely adopted non-destructive testing method and there are several standards and recommended practices for it. The American Petroleum Institute recommended practice, API RP 578 – Material Verification Program for New and Existing Alloy Piping Systems, provides the guidelines for a quality assurance system to verify the alloy components. Another widely used PMI guide is ASTM E1476 is a Standard Guide for Metals Identification, Grade Verification, and Sorting. Both of these documents cover the use of the handheld XRF and other applicable techniques.  

• Ensure that products and components have been manufactured using the correct alloy
• Find potentially mixed-up alloys
• Ensure material conforms to the correct standard and specification
• Ensure welded components have used the correct filler material
• Failure Analysis PMI – it is vital that the cause is identified and resolved to avoid repeat failures
• Ensure compliance with local government and legal requirements
• Reduce risk of company liability with documented safety standards

Related applications:

• Portable sulfur analyzers
• Petroleum process and product analysis

The automation of non-destructive testing (NDT) routines during alloy production is becoming increasingly important to meet quality standards, improve production yields and reduce production overhead costs in the alloy industry. Automation is possible throughout the entire production process - such as the quality tests of incoming material, process control as alloys are produced, and their final testing before shipment

The Bruker XMS was built to be integrated into production and quality control lines. Through dedicated industrial connectors and mechanics, and thanks to a dedicated OEM protocol, the XMS can be easily installed into automated industrial machinery. The XMS allows XRF-based PMI and NDT to be seamlessly integrated into alloy manufacturing and quality control processes.