Positive Material Identification (PMI)
What Is It
Confirm the Exact Alloy Grade
IRC Engineering’s Positive Material Identification service confirms the alloy grade of critical components on-site, in seconds.
Material mix-ups - such as an incorrect fitting, valve, or component - can lead to leaks, ruptures, or failure under corrosion, temperature, or pressure.
PMI verifies that the material in front of you matches your specification.
Suitable for:
- New construction and fabrication
- In-service piping and valves
- Weld and filler materials
- Receiving inspection
- Turnaround and shutdown work
Why PMI
Why It’s Worth Doing Every Time
PMI is a fast, decisive check for preventing avoidable material-related failures.
Fast
Results in seconds, on the shop floor or in the field.
Non-Destructive
No sampling, component damage, or downtime.
Portable
Suitable for components of any size, including those too large to move.
Traceable
Every scan is logged for compliance and traceability records.
How It Works
Our PMI Testing Method
Our technicians use handheld X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysers to identify alloy grades without damaging the component.
Surface Scan
The XRF analyser scans the component surface.
X-Ray Response
A low level of radiation causes the material’s atoms to emit characteristic X-rays.
Element Analysis
The analyser measures the energy and intensity of this response.
Alloy Identification
The elements present are identified.
Grade Verification
The alloy grade is confirmed against the required material specification.
Results are available within seconds, without damaging the component.
Our Toolkit
Our PMI Testing System
Handheld XRF Analysers
Identify the elements present in a component on-site.
On-Site Verification
Confirm alloy grades before installation or during inspection.
Non-Destructive Testing
No sample cutting or component damage.
Logged Scan Records
Scan results can be included in compliance and traceability records.
Fast, portable PMI verification for critical components.
Where We Apply It
Where PMI Makes the Difference
New Construction & Fabrication
Verify materials before they enter service.
Retroactive Verification
Check in-service piping, valves, and pressure equipment.
Weld & Filler Material Checks
Confirm that filler metal matches the base-material specification.
Receiving Inspection
Catch supplier material errors before installation.
Turnaround & Shutdown Inspections
Verify critical components during maintenance windows.
PMI helps identify material mix-ups before they become mechanical-integrity failures.
Why IRC
Why IRC Engineering Services?
Delivering PMI Since 1995
Precision material verification for critical components.
On-Site Confirmation
Exact alloy-grade identification where the component is located.
Fast Results
Material verification within seconds.
Non-Destructive Testing
No sampling, no damage, and no downtime.
Traceable Documentation
Logged scan results for compliance and traceability records.
One material check can prevent a costly failure.
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