{"id":10014,"date":"2018-08-14T13:39:11","date_gmt":"2018-08-14T13:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/?p=10014"},"modified":"2026-08-13T13:33:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T13:33:55","slug":"why-pmi-positive-material-identification","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/why-pmi-positive-material-identification\/","title":{"rendered":"Why PMI (Positive Material Identification)?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/08\/istock_43032282_rustypipeline.jpg\" style=\"float: right;border: 0;margin: 10px\" alt=\"Why PMI (Positive Material Identification)?\" title=\"Why PMI (Positive Material Identification)?\" width=\"350\" height=\"228\" \/>Mismarking of material is actually more common than you might think. Whether it&rsquo;s a machine stencil, machine stamp, or any manual process &ndash; it happens, and there are consequences. <span><span>&nbsp;<\/span><\/span>If material discrepancies are discovered, all of the parts should be tested to ensure compliance with customer specifications, an expensive and time consuming process without the benefit of portable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/us\/en\/home\/industrial\/spectroscopy-elemental-isotope-analysis\/portable-analysis-material-id\/portable-xrf-analyzer-selection-guide.html?icid=CAD_blog_metals_2018Aug\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">x-ray fluorescence analyzers<\/a>, an accurate, inexpensive, and nondestructive <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2uZYDGY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">positive material identification (PMI)<\/a>&nbsp; test method.<\/p>\n<p>Industry reported data suggests that as much as 3% of rogue material will make its way into critical process equipment. How does it happen?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Component manufacturer applies the incorrect material stamp<\/li>\n<li>Fabricator uses unmarked, unknown material<\/li>\n<li>Material traceability is not maintained during fabrication<\/li>\n<li>Warehouse stocks inventory in the wrong location<\/li>\n<li>Welder uses incorrect filler metal, improper stocking, marking, labelling<\/li>\n<li>Welder or pipefitter selects the wrong component during fabrication process<\/li>\n<li>Mill test report (MTR) compromised during the procurement and supply cycle<\/li>\n<li>Maintenance outside normal operating hours not subjected to typical inspection<\/li>\n<li>Improper tagging or marking of materials during maintenance removal<\/li>\n<li>Lack of material verification prior to component re-installation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you&rsquo;re still not convinced of the necessity of <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2uZYDGY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">positive material identification (PMI)<\/a>&nbsp;using&nbsp;portable <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2Og9y8r\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">x-ray fluorescence analyzers<\/a>&nbsp;in the oil and gas industry, consider these reasons.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Oil and gas pipeline networks are susceptible to mechanical failures due to age and corrosion, among other factors. When these pipes crack and leak, the results can be disastrous. In many cases, UT thickness measurements at the weld boundary will reveal severe wall loss from general corrosion, requiring emergency remediation including plant shutdown, purchase of new inventory and replacement of all sections, all at considerable expense.\n<\/li>\n<li>Aging infrastructure more often provides the challenge of &ldquo;in-situ&rdquo; or retro-PMI testing to confirm existing assets are fit for service. According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/opsweb.phmsa.dot.gov\/pipeline_replacement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)<\/a> website, pipelines constructed of cast and wrought iron are among the oldest energy pipelines constructed in the United States and pose the highest-risk due to the degrading nature of iron alloys, the age of the pipelines, and pipe joints design.&nbsp;(Read&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2Lpg5jh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Conducting Retroactive PMI Using the Thermo Scientific Niton XL5 XRF Analyzer<\/a>&nbsp;to learn more about how this analyzer meets all of the demanding aspects of retro-PMI testing.)\n<\/li>\n<li>PHMSA also notes that some uncoated steel pipelines, known as bare steel pipelines, are still operating today. The age and lack of protective coating typically makes bare steel pipelines of higher risk as compared to some other pipelines and candidates for accelerated replacement programs. Steel, a the common material for pipes, is known for its exceptional&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2v5NEf8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">strength<\/a>&nbsp;but it is susceptible to corrosion and rust if it is not alloyed with other metals or coated to provide barrier protection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Ensuring that piping and equipment is fabricated with the <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2Lzy4mn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">correct metal alloys<\/a> is one way to help prevent pipe corrosion that can lead to mechanical failures. In-situ alloy steel material verification using&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2LpBcSR\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">portable XRF analyzers<\/a> confirms that correctly purchased materials are received; establishes <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2LpBTLX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">QA\/QC for in-process fabrication<\/a>; meets end user material requirements of outgoing products, and helps ensure that installed components and welds match the engineering design and application for which they are intended.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mismarking of material is actually more common than you might think. Whether it&rsquo;s a machine stencil, machine stamp, or any manual process &ndash; it happens, and there are consequences. &nbsp;If material discrepancies are discovered, all of the parts should be tested to ensure compliance with customer specifications, an expensive and time consuming process without the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":10035,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4,206],"tags":[],"division":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-10014","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-manufacturing-quality-assurance","8":"category-positive-material-identification","9":"category-steel","10":"entry"},"_selected_authors":[1339],"_selected_reviewers":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- 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Scrap Sorting at Recycling Facilities","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"May 18, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Addressing the Challenge of Lightweight Alloy Identification Lightweight metal scrap sorting\u2014especially for aluminum and magnesium alloys\u2014presents a unique operational challenge. While these materials are essential to modern manufacturing and recycling streams, their similar compositions make them difficult to distinguish quickly and accurately. Traditional sorting methods often force a trade-off between\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General\/Industry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General\/Industry","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/general-industry-metals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Compacted aluminum scraps","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-163265634_alumscrapblocks-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-163265634_alumscrapblocks-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-163265634_alumscrapblocks-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-163265634_alumscrapblocks-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-163265634_alumscrapblocks-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-163265634_alumscrapblocks-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13429,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/how-to-identify-aluminum-in-a-scrap-metal-recycling-yard\/","url_meta":{"origin":10014,"position":1},"title":"How to Identify Aluminum in a Scrap Metal Recycling Yard","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"May 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Identifying aluminum in a scrap metal recycling yard is more challenging than it might seem. While aluminum is one of the most widely used and recycled metals, its physical similarities to other materials, combined with the complexity of aluminum alloys, make accurate identification difficult. This challenge has significant implications for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General\/Industry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General\/Industry","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/general-industry-metals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Scrap metal pieces laying in a pile","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-133993685_scrapaluminum.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-133993685_scrapaluminum.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-133993685_scrapaluminum.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-133993685_scrapaluminum.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-133993685_scrapaluminum.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-133993685_scrapaluminum.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13557,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/how-to-improve-inspection-of-small-metal-parts\/","url_meta":{"origin":10014,"position":2},"title":"How to Improve Inspection of Small Metal Parts","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"May 26, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Article Summary Manufacturers, quality control teams, and field inspectors face a growing challenge when verifying the composition of small metal parts. Components such as fasteners, weld wire, tubing, bolts, and machined pieces are often difficult to analyze accurately. These parts are critical to operational safety and product integrity, yet their\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Manufacturing Quality Assurance&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Manufacturing Quality Assurance","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/manufacturing-quality-assurance\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"small metal fasteners","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/iStock-1087432242.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/iStock-1087432242.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/iStock-1087432242.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/iStock-1087432242.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/iStock-1087432242.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/iStock-1087432242.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13404,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/indonesia-investigates-caesium-137-contamination-in-shrimp-linked-to-scrap-metal-imports\/","url_meta":{"origin":10014,"position":3},"title":"Indonesia Investigates Caesium 137 Contamination in Shrimp Linked to Scrap Metal Imports","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"March 11, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Indonesia has no nuclear weapons or nuclear power plants, so how did Caesium 137, a radioactive isotope, enter Indonesia and contaminate a batch of shrimp, which ended up in the United States, possibly through scrap metal. The Issue: Radiation Contamination of a Food Supply Last Fall, it was reported by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Scrap Metal Recycling&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Scrap Metal Recycling","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/scrap-metal-recycling\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Caesium, Cesium, on periodic table of the elements. Alkali metal named after Latin caesius, sky-blue. Symbol Cs, atomic number 55. Fission product caesium-137 is extracted from nuclear reactor waste.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/iStock-1413396579_caesium.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/iStock-1413396579_caesium.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/iStock-1413396579_caesium.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/iStock-1413396579_caesium.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/iStock-1413396579_caesium.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/iStock-1413396579_caesium.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10286,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/a-valentines-special-best-metal-elements-for-a-sturdy-piece-of-jewelry\/","url_meta":{"origin":10014,"position":4},"title":"A Valentine\u2019s Special: Best Metal Elements for a Sturdy Piece of Jewelry","author":"Mark Lessard","date":"February 10, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A Pleasant Garden article noted that \"from a global perspective, nearly 6 million couples get engaged on February 14th.\"\u00a0It\u2019s no surprise that many of those who \u2018pop the question\u2019 choose to do it on the day known for its message of love and affection. Those who have bought an engagement\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Precious Metals&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Precious Metals","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/precious-metals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"ring in box with Valentine heart decorations","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/istock-96917265_valentinejewelry.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/istock-96917265_valentinejewelry.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/istock-96917265_valentinejewelry.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/istock-96917265_valentinejewelry.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13598,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/how-rhodium-plating-impacts-gold-xrf-analysis-and-karat-verification\/","url_meta":{"origin":10014,"position":5},"title":"How Rhodium Plating Impacts Gold XRF Analysis and Karat Verification","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"July 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary Accurate gold analysis is essential for jewelry verification, precious metals trading, refining, and quality control. One of the most widely used methods for determining gold content is X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, a non-destructive testing technique that quickly evaluates metal composition. However, rhodium plating\u2014a common surface treatment used on white\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Metals &amp; Alloys&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Metals &amp; Alloys","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/metals-and-alloys\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Banner of a cube symbolizing element number 45 of the periodic table. Rhodium. 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