POSITIVE MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION (PMI)

Positive Material Identification (PMI) is often required during the construction, installation, maintenance and inspection of new and existing industrial equipment, including piping systems covered by ASME B31.3 and API 570 codes. Steel City NDT’s knowledgeable PMI technicians can quickly identify and verify ferrous and nonferrous alloys with portable XRF equipment.

PMI testing equipment sends a low voltage radioactive signal into the tested material. The exposed material returns a group of specific element signals. Each element signal has its own atomic structure, which generates a specific energy level. The energy levels are detected and carefully measured to identify the alloys contained in the material. Radiation levels are very low, and testing does not damage the material. Results are available immediately after the inspection is completed.

As a result of a series of accidents resulting from material mix-ups, many companies have instituted stringent PMI testing. Steel City NDT can offer a comprehensive PMI testing service at our facility or on site at a client’s premises. All results are instant, and computerized reports are produced at the time of testing.