Inspection Procedure

00-SAIP-07 30 July, 2003

Positive Material Identification Requirements
Document Responsibility: Inspection Dept.

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................ 2
2 Purpose......................................................... 2
3 References.................................................... 2
4 Definitions..................................................... 3
5 Responsibilities............................................. 3
6 Instrument for PMI Analysis.......................... 3
7 Personal Qualifications................................. 4
8 Positive Material Identification
General Requirements............................ 4
9 Alloy Items Subject to PMI............................ 5
10 Extent of Verification..................................... 5
11 Elements for Verification............................... 5
12 Acceptance Criteria....................................... 5
13 Re-Verification / Rejection Criteria................ 5
14 Marking and Color Coding............................ 6
15 Reporting and Documentation...................... 6

Attachment I – PMI Report Form......................... 7

Attachment II – PMI Log Sheet........................... 8
Attachment III – Color Code for Material
Identification........................................... 9
Attachment IV– PMI Procedure Flow Chart....... 10

Previous Issue: 30 June, 2003 Next Planned Update: 1 July, 2008

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 10
Document Responsibility: Inspection Department 00-SAIP-07
Issue Date: 30 July, 2003
Next Planned Update: 1 July, 2008 Positive Material Identification Requirements

1 Scope

1.1 This SAIP provides functional guidance for Plant Inspectors performing Positive
Material Identification (PMI) in all Saudi Aramco Facilities.

1.2 This SAIP also instructs the assigned Saudi Aramco Inspector, on color coding
of PMI verified materials, reporting and documentation.

1.3 This SAIP does not include PMI requirements for the following:

As per SAES-A-206 Paragraph 1.3.

2 Purpose

The purpose of this SAIP is to ensure that the nominal composition of the materials 
specified has been correctly supplied and installed in the fabricated equipment or 
piping.  Also, it ensures that the correct welding by testing the welds has been 
performed.
Commentary Note:

PMI is a testing method which is independent of any material certification, mill test reports
and marking or color coding of materials.

3 References

All references defined in SAES­A­206 section 3 plus the following:

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Form

SA 2093-ENG Equipment Inspection Record-General

Saudi Aramco Inspection Procedure

00-SAIP-12 Equipment Deficiency Reports

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME SEC VIII Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Department 00-SAIP-07
Issue Date: 30 July, 2003
Next Planned Update: 1 July, 2008 Positive Material Identification Requirements

American Society for Testing Materials

ASTM E353 Chemical Analysis of Stainless, Heat-Resisting,
Maraging, and other Similar Chromium-
Nickel-Iron Alloys

Pipe Fabrication Institute

PFI ES-42 Positive Material Identification of Piping
Components Using Portable X-Ray Emission
Type Test Equipment

4 Definitions

All definitions of SAES­A­206 apply with the following addition or changes:

Saudi Aramco Inspector: The person authorized by the Saudi Aramco responsible
inspection unit to verify implementation of the requirements of this SAIP and SAES-A-
206.

Construction Organization: The organization responsible for fabrication, installation

or repair of the alloy material in the field (e.g., maintenance organizations).

PMI Instrument Operator:  Trained technician assigned by Plant Inspection Unit 
supervisor to operate the PMI testing machine and record the PMI testing result.

5 Responsibilities

The Assigned Inspector shall verify that the proper color coding and PMI tests are
conducted and that the installed materials are of the specified metallurgy. In case a
discrepancy is found, the inspector shall initiate an Equipment Deficiency Report
(EDR) and ensure that the requirements of this SAIP and SAES-A-206 are satisfied.

6 Instrument for PMI Analysis

6.1 Instruments for performing the PMI analysis of weld and the base metals is as
stated by SAES-A-206.

6.2 Both method and frequency of calibration and standardization shall be based upon
equipment manufacturer's recommendations. Records shall be maintained for the
checks and the date of calibration noted in the PMI report (Attachment-I).

6.3 When the inspector doubts the reliability of the measurement, he may calibrate
the instrument on shorter periods (e.g., on weekly basis or before every use).

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Department 00-SAIP-07
Issue Date: 30 July, 2003
Next Planned Update: 1 July, 2008 Positive Material Identification Requirements

6.4 In addition to the manufacturer's standard calibration samples, certified samples

with the traceability of "known" material shall be made available for a random
(spot) check.

6.5 The date of the latest calibration of the instrument shall be stated in the PMI
report. (Attachment-I)

7 Personal Qualifications

The person(s) performing the PMI test should be knowledgeable about all aspects of
operation of PMI test equipment and the PMI test method used. Qualification of the
person performing the PMI test, including training and experience, should be
documented and submitted for review and approval by the responsible inspection unit.
Personnel shall be trained, tested, and certified to:

a) Safely use the PMI analyzers(s) (i.e., electrical arcing, X-Ray emission or
chemical testing methods).

b) Properly apply material specification such as ASTM and ASME.

c) Fully understand the PMI requirements, including the verification method to be

used, the period during fabrication when verification will be conducted, and the
method of marking and color coding verified material and segregation and
reporting non-compliant material.

8 Positive Material Identification General Requirements

8.1 When PMI testing is performed by the material supplier or third­party agency, 
the Company should review and approve the adequacy of the material PMI 
program and testing procedure of the fabricator or material supplier prior to 
testing.

8.2 PMI shall be conducted before any post weld heat treatment, hydro test, painting
or insulation of any equipment or piping.

8.3 The area to be tested shall be solvent cleaned to remove any grease/oil/paint.

8.4 Surface (base metal and welds) to be examined shall be prepared by light 
grinding to remove any rust/scale as per manufacturer's recommendations.

8.5 Weld surface of overlay or clad restoration shall be prepared by removing 2­3 
mm of weld metal.

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Department 00-SAIP-07
Issue Date: 30 July, 2003
Next Planned Update: 1 July, 2008 Positive Material Identification Requirements

8.6 The PMI test report shall be reviewed prior to hydro test and made part of the
hydro test package supporting documents.

8.7 The responsible inspection unit shall audit the PMI test program to ensure its 
effective functionality.  The Operation Inspection Division of the Inspection 
Department can be contacted for assistance.

9 Alloy Items Subject to PMI

The following components shall be subject to PMI testing in accordance with this
procedure.
- Plates (heads, shells, tube sheets, etc) and internals such as trays if required by the
purchase order
- Forgings
- Flanges
- Pipe and fittings such as tees, elbows, reducers, and special pipe components
- Valves (body and bonnet) internals as per SAES-A-206
- Thermowells
- Furnace tubes and fittings
- Casings for pumps, compressors, turbines
- Alloy welds joining pressure parts to pressure parts
- Heat exchanger tubes
- Metallic alloy gaskets

10 Extent of Verification

As per SAES-A-206.

11 Elements for Verification

As per SAES-A-206.

12 Acceptance Criteria

As per SAES-A-206.

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Department 00-SAIP-07
Issue Date: 30 July, 2003
Next Planned Update: 1 July, 2008 Positive Material Identification Requirements

13 Re-Verification / Rejection Criteria

As per SAES-A-206.

14 Marking and Color Coding

As per SAES-A-206 and Attachment III.

15 Reporting and Documentation

15.1 The PMI report form (Attachment-I) shall be completely filled out by the
assigned inspector/technician for each PMI analysis.

15.2 A log shall be maintained (see form in Attachment-II) to identify each

component that has been alloy verified and the results.

15.3 The Report should be part of the permanent Equipment Inspection Record.

Revision Summary
30 June, 2003 Delete the duplicated paragraphs with SAES-A-206.
Delete the N/A paragraphs.
Re-assigning the responsibility of the PMI equipment operator.
Revised the "Next Planned Update."
30 July, 2003 Deleted paragraph 8.6 and renumbered rest of paragraphs.

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Department 00-SAIP-07
Issue Date: 30 July, 2003
Next Planned Update: 1 July, 2008 Positive Material Identification Requirements

Attachment I – PMI Report Form

POSITIVE MATERIAL Date: / /

Request No.
IDENTIFICATION REPORT Location of Test:
Plant/P.O.: Report No.:
Sheet ______of________
Equipment/Line No.: Drawing No: (e.g., Equipment or ISO)

Item Type:( weld, valve, pipe, etc.) Item Description: (Manufacturer & Heat #)

Type of Instrument Used:

Model:
Serial No.:
Date of Calibration:

Analysis Result:

Elements for verification Result of Analysis Color code

Equipment Sub- (Refer to 00-
/Line No. Item Pending SAIP-07)
P.O.& C Cr Ni Mo Nb Accept Reject chemical Attachment III
Line item analysis and PFI ES-22)

This is to certify that the above materials verification is done in accordance with the requirement of
SAES-A-206 and the above alloying element percentages were evaluated in accordance with the
criteria stated in the above-mentioned standard and this SAIP procedure. The items above were also
color coded/marked in accordance with above two documents.

PMI Operator /Plant Date Signature Verified by Inspector Date

Inspector (Name &ID#)

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Department 00-SAIP-07
Issue Date: 30 July, 2003
Next Planned Update: 1 July, 2008 Positive Material Identification Requirements

Attachment II – PMI Log Sheet

LOG Equipment/
NO. Plant/P.O. # Line# Item Description PMI Report No.& Date Remarks

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Department 00-SAIP-07
Issue Date: 30 July, 2003
Next Planned Update: 1 July, 2008 Positive Material Identification Requirements

Attachment III – Color Code for Material Identification

Common UNS
Material Color of Stripe(s)
Designation Designatio
n
Low Alloy Materials
7 Cr-1/2 Mo Steel A335 GR. P7 S50300 2 solid green
Nickel Based Alloys
Copper based Alloys
90-10 Cu-Ni B111 C70600 1 solid green
70-30 Cu-Ni B111 C71500 1 solid red

Note: Any product manufactured by welding shall have an additional white

stripe. Any additional alloy material not included in this table or PFI
ES-22 shall be referred to the Operations Inspection Division of the
Inspection Department for obtaining a Color Code.

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Department 00-SAIP-07
Issue Date: 30 July, 2003
Next Planned Update: 1 July, 2008 Positive Material Identification Requirements

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