How does PMI testing work?

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

Why PMI test is required?

Why is PMI so important? 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 bought-in materials are exactly what they should be.

What is PMI testing machine?

Positive Material Identification (PMI) Positive Material Identification is the detection of materials through non-destructive element spectrometry in samples of metals, steel, and alloys, which is used to check the component composition of ores, soils, and other liquid and powder samples.

How does a PMI gun work?

Two types of PMI X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) instruments work by exposing a sample to be measured to a beam of X-rays. The atoms of the sample absorb energy from the X-rays, become temporarily excited and then emit secondary X-rays. Each chemical element emits x-rays at a unique energy.

Is PMI a form of NDE?

Positive Material Identification (PMI) is a fast and non-destructive testing (NDT) method for verifying the chemical composition of metals and alloys. PMI can be used to verify that supplied materials conform to the proper standards and specifications.

Is PMI part of NDT?

Positive Material Identification (PMI) is one of the more specialised non destructive testing methods. With positive material identification the alloy composition of materials can be determined. If a material certificate is missing or it is not clear what the composition of a material is, then PMI offers the solution.

Is PMI a NDT?

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. The material testing can be performed on-site before the parts go into the production process or for final products.

Can XRF detect carbon?

Elements lighter than Magnesium cannot be measured using XRF. This limitation of XRF makes it impossible to grade materials such as low carbon stainless steels, carbon steel, and low alloy materials because Carbon cannot be measured utilizing XRF analyzers.

What elements can PMI detect?

Elements that can be identified using PMI include: Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Se, Nb, Mo. Interesting to know is that the exposure of radiation is sufficiently low, so that extra safety measures are not required.

When do you need to use PMI testing?

If a material certificate is missing or it is not clear what the composition of a material is, then PMI offers the solution. Because specifications for materials used in industry are increasingly more specific, the need for PMI testing has been on an increase for the past several years.

What does Positive Material Identification ( PMI ) do?

Positive Material Identification (PMI) can prevent mix-ups that can result in component failure, which can cause costly downtime, repair and replacement, lost (leaking) material, environmental and fire hazards, or batch contamination.

Is there a difference between PMI and ferrite testing?

No, PMI is used as a sorting tool for material composition, ferrite testing determines the ferrite phase content in material, two totally different measurements with different outcomes.

Where does PMI testing take place in a refinery?

PMI at Every Step: From the Warehouse to In-Process. Because a materials mix-up can happen at any stage of the process from the alloy fabricator to installation of a part at the refinery, each petroleum refinery, chemical plant, petrochemical plant etc. should develop a material verification program to minimize this risk.