Positive Material Identification Report Template

This test method is not the most common out of all the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods, as it’s not an everyday occurrence that a company would require confirming the chemical composition of the material being used. However, Positive Material Identification is indispensable and necessary in critical situations. There are essentially two crucial scenarios when PMI is used:

1. Confirmation of material quality and safety

PMI confirms material quality by checking the chemical composition of metals and alloys that are found in pipelines or valves to reduce the risk of failure and to verify if they meet specified standards from various codes like ASME, ASTM, or API, depending on what’s required—but this is primarily important within the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC). Failure due to the wrong material used can be catastrophic, especially in the oil & gas industry, where using the wrong type of steel could result in chloride-induced corrosion.

2. Discrepancy in material marking or labeling

Mismarking can happen despite advanced and continually improving methods to confirm that the material supplied is correct. When a component arrives, it is standard procedure for any company to confirm the material label and certification. If a discrepancy is found, this is where positive material identification shines, in a sense, because it’s a non-destructive method that uses handheld devices, making it practical, as it is easier and faster to confirm whether you’re really using the right materials for your purposes.