Positive Material Identification

Positive material identification (PMI) involves the analysis of a metal or alloy in order to understand and guarantee its elemental composition. This might be done to give assurances about its performance when being used for a specific application in terms of quality control and compliance with safety standards. Typical analytical methods for positive material identification are X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and optical emission spectroscopy (OES). These tests can be used at various stages of manufacturing or processing operations, allowing industry to match choose the right alloys with the necessary properties such as their heat resistance, their resistance to corrosion or their durability. Positive material identification is used in plant, such as petroleum, petrochemical and power generation plants to allow businesses to test critical services both before they come into use and after when they are in service. In manufacture, PMI can be used to avert product failures by carrying out quality control at various stages of production processes. These tests can be carried out on-site through non-destructive testing methods, allowing operatives to see parts in operation and analyse their composition while not disrupting operations or destroying the sample under scrutiny.