Positive Material Identification (PMI)
Acuren technicians can also perform PMI utilizing rope-access methods to test materials in hard to reach and confined space locations.
Positive material identification (PMI) assesses a material’s chemical composition to verify that it meets proper standards, specifications and requirements through nondestructive testing methods. Portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a common PMI technique that uses X-rays to analyze elemental compositions.
Acuren can use XRF and other PMI techniques as part of an API 578 Program or on their own. In the process, we can help identify inappropriate materials in high-risk systems to improve quality control, prevent failures and increase workplace safety.
Why Your Business Needs Positive Material Identification
PMI is vital to safety compliance and asset integrity management across industries. Many businesses depend on PMI testing to protect their assets and avoid inadvertent substitutions of incorrect materials in critical systems. PMI methods such as portable XRF increase the convenience of verifying your materials.
With PMI testing, your business can:
- Prevent critical component breakdown
- Reduce product failure
- Minimize costly and dangerous consequences
PMI Services for Industries
Positive material identification (PMI) by x-ray fluorescence (XRF) is performed in every industry sector, including:
Acuren Uses Two Methods of Portable XRF
- Isotope-based X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
- Technology cannot detect elements with an atomic number less than 22 (titanium)
- X-Ray Tube Based X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
- Technology cannot detect elements with an atomic number less than 22 (titanium), with exception of 5 elements: Mg, Al, Si, P, and S
The principle of operation is that a source (isotope or x-ray) is used to generate a beam of low energy radiation to excite the material being examined. The analyzed material emits a characteristic radiation spectrum that is then analyzed to determine which elements are present and in what quantity. The instruments are small, lightweight, highly portable and deliver quick results in even the most demanding situations.
Portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a method of positive material identification (PMI) which is a nondestructive semi-quantitative method that determines the chemical composition of a material. History shows numerous industrial incidents have occurred as a result of inadvertent substitution of materials in piping systems, fittings, flanges, gaskets, bolting materials and other components. PMI techniques can be implemented as a stand-alone program or as part of an API 578 Program to identify potentially rogue materials in high-risk systems to prevent catastrophic failures.
What can portable XRF do?
- Be applied to QA/QC on new construction, maintenance activities, and existing equipment
- Verify a product chemistry conforms to the correct material standard, code and specifications
- Ensure welded components have the correct filler metal
- Identify incorrect or potentially mixed-up materials (e.g. carbon steel substitutions in low alloy steel systems)
- Assess for enhanced corrosion potential in HF alkylation units due to residual elements in carbon steels (such as Ni, Cr, Cu)
- Identify process units susceptible to sulfidation: carbon steels with low silicon (<0.10%) content can corrode at an accelerated rate when exposed to hydrogen-free sulfidation conditions
- Test components to form the basis of API 578 material verification programs (piping flanges, fittings forgings, valves, welds, instrumentation, overlays, bolting, expansion joints and gaskets)
Portable XRF Limitations
Both isotope and x-ray methods of XRF are semi-quantitative as there are various elements that avoid detection. These instruments cannot detect carbon, therefore alloy grades such as SS304 and 304L cannot be differentiated. Acuren reports the results as “closest match”, which indicates the alloy composition is consistent with the specified alloy material. The amount of specific elements detected are also reported for each material tested. Portable XRF should not be used on components in significant vibration service or where background electromagnetic fields are excessive.
Why Use Acuren for Your Portable XRF Needs?
When you partner with Acuren, you can trust our team to select suitable chemical analysis technology for your application. If portable XRF is required, our technicians will provide the results you need to meet industry quality standards, minimize downtime and eliminate costly failures.
We ensure our highly skilled technicians follow:
- Internal qualification processes for safe instrument operation
- Internal safety and quality procedures
- Industry standards
- Your unique specifications
We will provide on-the-spot results, expert interpretations and a certified report. Our quality program is one of the most rigorous in the industry with all of our reports being peer reviewed.
Acuren offers responsive turnaround times to meet your required operational schedules. If necessary, our technicians can provide an on-site quantitative chemical analysis via optical emission spectroscopy (OES), and our laboratories can perform a follow-up chemical analysis to verify XRF findings.
Acuren technicians can perform XRF utilizing rope-access methods to test materials in hard-to-reach and confined-space locations.
