1 PURPOSE

a) This document is aimed to describe the methods, personnel requirements, extent of

examination and test requieement for Positive Material Identifocation (PMI).

2 SCOPE

a) This Specification covers all the requirements for positive material identification (P.M.I.) of alloy
parts listed in paragraph 6.1. to be employed by the vendors, fabricators or contractors which
include the supply, fabrication or erection of alloy materials.
b) P.M.I. shall cover identification, examination, marking, certification and traceability throughout
all the phases of material supply, fabrication, warehousing and erection to assure correct
materials are installed.
c) Carbon steel materials are not subject to this specification.
d) It is understood that this P.M.I. procedure does not substitute any other inspection and testing
requirements and that all the above materials will continue to receive all the normal delivery
checks for compliance with the Purchase Order and all the normal field inspection controls
during prefabrication and erection to ensure that the quality of materials and workmanship
meets project requirements.

3 DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS

• SUPPLIER/VENDOR: The party that bids to sell, sells, manufactures, fabricates or

otherwise produces or supplies the equipment and/or goods and services.
• SUBCONTRACTOR: The party that bids to supply construction, assembly or other
services according to the agreed Subcontract.
• MAY / CAN: Is used where alternatives/actions are equally acceptable.
• SHOULD: Is used where provision is preferred.
• SHALL / WILL / MUST: Is used where a provision is mandatory/vital.

4 REFERENCES
4.1 PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

CODE
80080-MTO-0000-SP-004
80080-TCH-0000-SP-005
80080-TCH-0000-SP-007
80080-IZ-005-B, Rev. 2
TITLE
Color code for piping material identification
Welding and Heat Treatment Requirements
for Equipment and Piping
Additional Material Requirements
4.2 COMPANY SPECIFICATIONS & STANDARDS

CODE TITLE
N/A N/A

4.3 INTERNATIONAL CODES & STANDARDS

CODE TITLE
Guidelines for a Material Verification Program
API 578
(MVP) for New and Existing Assets

5 RESPONSIBILITIES

a) The application of P.M.I. procedure according to the present specification is at complete care
and charge of Mill, Stockist, Shop Prefabricator or Fabricator, Field Erector and shall include:
i. Supply of the required apparatus (portable analyzer) or chemical analysis performed by a
recognized laboratory.
ii. Supply of qualified analyzer operator.
iii. Application of controls and issue of P.M.I. reports.

6 LIMITS OF P.M.I. INSPECTION

a) P.M.I. is required for all pressure retaining components, unless otherwise indicated in equipment
material requisition.

6.1 ITEMS TO BE P.M.I. INSPECTED:

a) All alloy bulk materials for piping systems, including:

► pipes
► fittings
► pressure containing parts of valves
► alloy stud bolting other than Gr B7, B7M, L7, L7M
► alloy RTJ gaskets
► Camprofile gaskets (only materials different from SS316/SS316L)
► plugs
► couplings
► flanges
► orifice flanges
► strainers
► welds
80080-IZ-005-B, Rev. 2
 b) Tubular products used in fabrication of equipment bundles/coils (i.e. heaters, boilers and
furnace tubes, return bends, fittings, etc.)
c) All pressure containing components of equipment and process internals as below, including:
► plates (including cladding and plates for plate heat exchangers)
► welds (including weld overlays and clad restoring)
► forgings
► castings
► pipes
► fittings
► bolting other than Gr B7, B7M, L7, L7M
► tubes
► All process internals shall be PMI tests. The extent of examination shall be 5% of each
type of component with at least one test per component when the number is lower
than 20
d) All pressure retaining parts of instrumentation components, including:
► flow nozzles
► flow meter runs
► control valves
► PSV’s bodies
► orifice plates
► orifice flanges
► thermowells
► welds

6.2 ITEMS NOT SUBJECTED TO P.M.I.:

a) All the following items will not require P.M.I.:

► internal non-pressure retaining components which are not process internals, unless
specifically required by Material Requisition, drawings or other documents
► components where alloy material is not required by Material Requisition since it is not
necessary to withstand corrosion attack but has been specified for product purity
reason or as a Vendor Standard
► external attachments non pressure retaining
► welds non pressure retaining
► gaskets (except RTJ gaskets and camprofile)
► instrument components not part of piping system
► instrument piping, covered by instrument piping specs
► instrument tubing

80080-IZ-005-B, Rev. 2
 ► electrical components
► insulation covering sheets
► alloy bolting Gr B7, B7M, L7, L7M

6.3 COLOR MARKING

a) Materials must be color marked by Supplier according to the General Specification for
material “COLOR CODE FOR PIPING MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION” n° 80080-MTO-
0000-SP-004. Materials without color marking will not be delivered to the job site and/or
used for prefabrication/construction.

6.4 LOCATION OF INSPECTION

a) The P.M.I. program will be implemented in the following potential problem areas:
► Source Supplier.
► Fabrication Shop.
► Job Site Warehouse.
► Field.

7 EXTENT OF P.M.I. EXAMINATION

7.1 CHECKS TO BE PERFORMED AT SOURCE SUPPLIER (MILL-STOCKIST)

a) The positive material identification will be performed for all supplied materials.
b) All the lots shall be checked 100% except as indicated in para 7.1. e).
c) 100% Positive Materials Identification means that each individual component and weld shall be
tested.
d) Repetitive problems will be discussed with Supplier management to strongly reinforce the need
for improvement Quality Control.
e) PMI testing is required for bolting, all alloy RTJ gaskets, all camprofile gasket different from
SS316/SS316L, tubes of heat exchangers, heaters, boilers and plates of plate heat exchangers
on a representative sampling basis as a minimum, according to the following table:
► Lot of 5 pieces or less: 100%
► Lot of 5 to 200 pieces: the greater of 5 pieces or 5%
► Lot greater than 200 pieces: the greater of 10 pieces or 3%
f) After positive material identification execution stamping with a “P” symbol (for all material) and
colour marking (for bulk material only) shall be done on all the supplied materials.

7.2 CHECKS TO BE PERFORMED AT FABRICATOR'S SHOP

a) P.M.I. on welds shall be carried out on deposited weld metal of each weld or weld overlay or
clad restoring; one measurement shall be taken on the cap pass.
80080-IZ-005-B, Rev. 2
 b) The positive material identification at this stage will consist in a visual check to ensure that Mill
certificates, marking and stamping on materials previously P.M.I checked, correspond.
c) Each piece of material from a lot previously P.M.I. checked and found without color marks, will
be identified and marked and rejected to the supplier if not in accordance with the material
specification.
d) Materials previously P.M.I. identified and color marked but not stamped will be spot-checked to
assure that material control procedures are functioning properly.
e) If color mark/stamp of any component could be destroyed during work process or will be no
longer clearly visible, identifying symbols shall be transferred/reapplied at Supplier's care and
responsibility.
f) All alloy materials already validated shall be stored in segregated areas to prevent material mix-
ups during fabrication and/or assembling.
g) Repetitive problems will be discussed with Supplier management to strongly reinforce the need
for improved Quality Control.

7.3 CHECKS TO PERFORMED AT SITE (FIELD WAREHOUSE)

a) On their arrival at field warehouse the bulk or shop-fabricated materials will be submitted to a
visual examination to ensure that color stamping, marking and Purchase Order specification
correspond.
b) Materials part of P.M.I. identified lots, found without color marks, will be 100% tested and
accepted only if strictly in accordance with the relevant material specification. Otherwise they
will be rejected to the supplier for substitution.
c) 100% checking of color marked materials will be performed.
d) After all alloy materials have been validated, they shall be stored in segregated areas, to prevent
material mix-ups during erection.
e) If color marks/stamps of any component are no longer clearly visible, identifying symbols shall
be affixed again on it.
f) Repetitive problems will be discussed with Supplier Management to strongly reinforce the need
for improved Quality Control.

7.4 CHECKS TO BE PERFORMED AT SITE (FIELD PREFABRICATION AREA)

a) The criteria to be followed shall be in accordance with point 7.2 of the present specification.

7.5 CHECKS TO BE PERFORMED AT SITE (DURING CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM)

a) After erection and before starting with painting/insulating operations, all items will be visually
checked to identify marks and stamps and check correct installation.
b) Pieces found without color marks will be 100% tested and accepted only if strictly in accordance
with the relevant material specification; otherwise they will be rejected and cut out immediately.
c) All alloy materials already validated shall be stored in segregated areas, to prevent material mix
ups during construction.

80080-IZ-005-B, Rev. 2
 d) Repetitive problems will be discussed with Mechanical Erection Management to strongly
reinforce the need for improved Quality Control.
e) If color mark/stamp of any component could be destroyed during work process or were no longer
clearly visible, identifying symbols shall be transferred/affixed again at Mechanical Erector's
care and responsibility.
f) Finished field welds shall be 100% checked and properly identified (100% means one point
controlled, randomly distributed on each circumferential weld). Incorrect welds will be clearly
marked for immediate cutting.
g) Checks of unused welding rods are not acceptable.

8 EXAMINATION METHODS

a) The instruments or methods used for examination shall be capable of positively identify the
material by proving a quantitative measurement of the critical alloying elements.
b) Acceptable methods are listed below in order of priority:
i. Portable x-ray emission analyzers such as:
► "Arc-Met 900"
► "X-Met 840"
► "Texas nuclear 9266"
► "Texas nuclear 9277" ("Metallurgist - XR")
► "X-MET 880"
► "Spectro Port" or "Spectrotest"
Other instruments may be submitted for approval to Contractor.
ii. Approved Analytical Laboratory using:
► "X-ray emission spectrometry"
► "Optical spectroscopy"
► "Wet chemical analysis"
iii. Portable analyser operators shall be trained and fully conversant with the equipment used.
iv. When a portable analyser is used and an identification element coverage is not sufficient
to identify the material, then that material shall be checked by an approved analytical
laboratory.
v. All laboratory chemical analysis shall be carried out according to the pertinent ASTM
Standards.
vi. Portable x-ray emission analyzers must be used at temperatures greater than 0°C to avoid
erroneous observations.

9 IDENTIFICATION

a) After the acceptance has been established, all items in a lot must be color marked according to
General Specification for material COLOR CODE FOR PIPING MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION”
n° 80080-MTO-0000-SP-004.
80080-IZ-005-B, Rev. 2
 b) Each unit (piece) part of the tested sample will be identified by color mark, in accordance with
General Specification for material COLOR CODE FOR PIPING MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION”
n° 80080-MTO-0000-SP-004.
c) Identification stamps shall be located near color marks.
d) Table 1 states the elements to be identified with the PMI.
e) Supplier shall stamp in both sides of the pipes the ident and the heat number. When
SUBCONTRACTOR cut the pipe at job site, SUBCONTRACTOR shall maintain the traceability
of the pipe marking the ident and the heat number in both sides of the cut pipe. For fittings and
valves, Supplier shall stamp the ident and the heat number in a visible place

TABLE 1. PMI Elements to be checked

Identification Identification
MATERIAL MATERIAL
Elements* Elements*
C - ½ Mo Mo Alloy 2205 Cr, Ni, Mo
1¼ Cr - ½ Mo Cr, Mo Alloy 2507 Cr, Ni, Mo
2¼ Cr -1 Mo Cr, Mo Alloy B3 Cr, Ni, Mo, Cb
5 Cr Cr, Mo Incoloy 600 Ni, Cr
9Cr – 1 Mo Cr, Mo
9 Cr – 1 Mo - V Cr, Mo, V Incoloy 625 Ni, Cr, Mo, Cb, Ti
12 Cr Cr, Mo Incoloy 800 Ni, Cr, Al, Ti
SS 304 Cr, Ni Incoloy 825 Ni, Cr, Mo, Cu, Ti
*SS 304L C, Cr, Ni Hastelloy C-276 Ni, Cr, Mo, W
*SS 304H C, Cr, Ni Titanium Ti
SS 316 Cr, Ni, Mo Aluminium Al
*SS 316L C, Cr, Ni, Mo Brass Cu, Zn
*SS 316H C, Cr, Ni, Mo Bronze Cu, Sn
SS 321 Cr, Ni, Ti Monel Cu, Ni
*SS 321 (C 0.04) C, Cr, Ni, Ti Cu-Ni Cu, Ni
SS 347 Cr, Ni, Cb A193 B16 Cr, Mo, V
Super Austenitic SS
Cr, Ni, Mo,Cu A193 B8 Cl 2 Cr, Ni
(254 SMO to UNS 31254)
Alloy 20 Cr, Ni, Mo,Cu Ferralium Cr, Ni, Mo, Cu
Notes:
1. Percentage of identification elements must be within the limits specified in the related ASTM
standards (for base materials) and AWS standards (for welds), taking into account the tolerance
proper of adopted portable analyzer (in any case within 10% of the range in applicable material
standard).
2. In the case of dissimilar welds, the percentages must be within the limits proper of the Standard
relevant to the filler metal used.
3. *For low and high carbon grade of SS, there must be a traceable mill certificate showing carbon
content.

10 CERTIFICATION

a) Results of all examinations shall be recorded on report forms in accordance with Table 2.
b) All P.M.I. reports shall become part of the permanent inspection records.
c) Each report shall refer to one lot or line only and shall be completed by the portable analyzer
operator or by the Supplier/Mechanical Erector if a laboratory test is involved.
80080-IZ-005-B, Rev. 2
 d) In this case, the laboratory certificates will be considered as integral part of the P.M.I. reports.

TABLE 2. PMI Inspection Report

POSITIVE MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION Sheet of:

MATERIAL CLASS: MILL CERTIFICATE No: HEAT NUMBER:
LOT SIZE: SAMPLE SIZE: PORTABLE ANALYZER
TEST LABORATORY: CODING PAINT DESCRIPTION: TYPE:
ANALYSIS RESULTS
IDENTIFICATION ELEMENTS
ITEM N° ITEM REQUIRED MEASURED ALPH. COLOR REMARKS
DESCRIPTION % % CODE CODE
Cr Ni M V Cr Ni M V
% % o % o
% %

DATE: SUPPLIER/FABRICATOR:
ANALYST/OPERATOR: OWNER'S INSPECTOR:

11 REJECTION

a) Substitution of incorrect materials discovered in shop or warehouse shall remain always at

Supplier's care and cost. Materials and labour for replacing incorrectly erected materials and
wrong field welds will be at Mechanical Erector's care and cost.
a) Whenever material is identified as incorrect by a portable analyser control, option to perform
more accurate tests is allowed (always according to point 8. b) ii. of the present specification),
to verify the material composition or to replace the material involved.

12 MISCELLANEOUS

a) Certificates of compliance are NOT acceptable as substitute for P.M.I. examination.

b) Whenever in the Material Requisition is included a specification "or equal", all materials
presented as equal will have to be approved in writing by Owner.
c) Vendor, Fabricator or Contractor shall inform Owner 15 days in advance of their P.M.I.
examination execution.
d) Owner or their authorized Representative has the right to witness and audit the P.M.I. program.
80080-IZ-005-B, Rev. 2