1/30/2020 PMI Testing - Rolled Alloys, Inc.

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PMI Testing
Positive Material Identi cation (PMI) has become more prevalent and
more practical in recent years. The development of portable x-ray
uorescence (XRF) units using x-ray tubes instead of isotopes has made it
easier to verify alloys both at the time of nal packaging and shipment, as
well as at receiving and in the eld.

Portable optical emission spectroscopy (OES) instruments have also

become affordable, which permits analysis of even lower molecular weight
alloying elements like carbon. However, the most accurate analyses of
carbon, nitrogen and sulfur are still obtained by combustion techniques.

Testing protocols range from performing a spot check on a lot of material, to obtaining a
complete chemistry for every piece. While many of these instruments have exceptional accuracy
for portable hand-held units, they cannot match the accuracy of more sophisticated stationary
units found in most test laboratories or at steelmaking facilities. These limitations should be taken
into consideration when establishing acceptance criteria.

Limit or Maximum of Speci ed Tolerance Over the Maximum Limit or Under the
Elements
Range, % Minimum Limit
to 0.010, incl 0.002
Carbon over 0.010 to 0.030, incl 0.005
over 0.030 to 0.20, incl 0.01
over 10.00 to 15.00, incl 0.15
Chromium
over 15.00 to 20.00, incl 0.20
over 15.00 to 20.00, incl 0.10
Nickel
over 15.00 to 20.00, incl 0.15

The variation in chemical analysis testing has always been recognized in the standardization of
test methods. ASTM and AMS speci cations establish the permitted variation over or under the
speci ed limits for each element when conducting a product analysis. In ASTM this information
can be found in standards such as A480 (Flat Products) or A484 (Bar). AMS speci cations 2248
and 2269 detail similar allowances. The allowances are necessary based on interlaboratory testing
variations of tests conducted to the same test methods. These allowances were established for
the more sophisticated stationary instruments that offer the highest degree of accuracy. They do
not incorporate variations that can exist within a heat of steel from one location to another. Table 1
shows some permitted variations for a few element ranges as they exist in ASTM A480.

Most modern XRF units also generate a standard deviation calculation which offers a guide as to
how precise the measurement might be. Multiplying the standard deviation by six (six sigma) will
give an indication of the range of values expected for the reading 93% of the time. This wide
amount of potential variation in the reading often means that an acceptable chemistry might
show up as being outside the acceptable range. For this reason alone, portable instruments
should be used only to con rm the alloy type and should not be used as a basis for rejection.

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1/30/2020 PMI Testing - Rolled Alloys, Inc.
There are many other reasons for the variation of results in chemistries when testing in the eld.
Part geometry and surface condition can be factors. In stainless and nickel alloys there can be
minor surface variations due to normal processing such as annealing and pickling. Portable
instruments do not penetrate below this surface layer which might be marginally reduced in
chromium or molybdenum, or other elements. It may be necessary to remove several
thousandths from the surface to get a more reliable indication of the base metal chemistry. This
effect can also be avoided by taking the reading on a freshly cut edge or end.

The reported results also need to be adjusted for interference from other elements. As the alloy
content changes, the interference on the reading from other elements also changes. The portable
instruments have sophisticated algorithms that compensate for much of this interference, but
these instruments are designed to work on a very wide range of alloys and compositions.
Stationary laboratory instruments can be recalibrated using standards speci c to the composition
being examined to improve accuracy. Laboratories in producing mills are the most familiar with
compensating for these variations with their alloys, which is why even independent laboratories
occasionally have dif culty matching the mill's accuracy.

Rolled Alloys has portable XRF units in each of our facilities and we perform hundreds of tests
every day. These instruments are used to verify the alloy identity. Acceptance or rejection of
material on the basis of chemical analysis should only be done using certi ed laboratories with
the most sophisticated equipment and techniques for the element in question. In case of a
dispute or disagreement, the producing mill should always be involved.

Please contact Rolled Alloys Quality Assurance if you have questions about our PMI procedures or
capabilities.

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