Positive Material Identification (PMI) Record Template
Positive material identification confirms that the alloy in a component matches what the purchase order and drawing specify. This template gives you a clean record to attach to the material traceability package, with instrument details and a result per component.
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Positive Material Identification PMI Record Template
Positive Material Identification Record
Company: Permian Valve and Fabrication Inc Project / PO: PO 450-2281 / Separator Skid Report No.: PMI-2026-0412 Date: 2026-10-19
Instrument
Analyzer: Handheld XRF, Model XR-200, S/N 10482 Last calibration or verification: 2026-10-01 Daily standard check: Pass
Acceptance and Scope
Acceptance basis: Project specification, material grade composition ranges per the applicable ASTM/ASME material specification Sampling scope: 100% of pressure parts
Results by Component
| Item / tag | Heat or lot no. | Specified grade | Cr % | Ni % | Mo % | Other | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Remarks
Surface ground clean at each test point. Three readings averaged where alloy content is near limits.
Sign-off
Inspector: A. Rivera, Level II
XRF cannot measure light elements such as carbon, so it does not distinguish low carbon grades like 316 and 316L. Use another method where carbon content is a requirement. Rejected items must be segregated and recorded on a nonconformance report.
Link PMI results to heat numbers in your ERP
Optional: a short review of how PMI and material certificates could be searchable by heat number.
Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.
How to use this template
Complete the header fields, the analyzer details and the acceptance basis. Print or export the document and write the results for each component in the results table, or paste your readings into the exported Word file. Record the heat or lot number for every item so the PMI result ties back to the mill test report. If an item fails, mark it clearly and raise a nonconformance rather than overwriting the reading.
What PMI can and cannot tell you
Handheld XRF analyzers read elements such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, copper and titanium quickly and without cutting the part. They do not read carbon, so they cannot separate standard and low carbon stainless grades, and readings depend on a clean, ground surface. Optical emission spectrometry covers carbon but is more intrusive. Piping and refinery practice such as API RP 578 describes PMI programs and when to apply them.
- Grind off coatings, scale and heat tint before testing
- Check the analyzer against a known standard each shift
- Take readings on the base metal and weld metal separately
- Compare to the composition range for the grade, allowing instrument tolerance
Common mistakes
The usual errors are testing through paint, relying on a single reading near a limit, skipping the standard check and not recording the heat number. Another is applying PMI to the finished assembly only, which hides a mix-up at receiving. Record PMI at receiving inspection and again after fabrication where parts could have been swapped, such as bolting and small fittings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is XRF PMI enough to accept a heat?
It verifies alloy identity but not mechanical properties, heat treatment or carbon content. PMI complements the mill test report, it does not replace it. Your specification states what additional tests are required.
How many items should be tested?
That depends on the project specification or your quality plan. Many oil and gas customers require 100 percent of pressure retaining parts in alloy service, while others allow lot sampling. Use the scope field to state what applies.
What if a reading is near the limit?
Repeat the test, clean the surface again, and average readings. If it is still marginal, send the item for chemical analysis or hold it until engineering decides, rather than accepting on instrument tolerance alone.
Should welds be tested?
Often yes for alloy welds, especially to confirm filler selection. Record weld metal readings in a separate row and compare them to the expected deposit composition rather than the base metal range.
If material test reports and PMI results are scattered across emails and folders, we can help set up a private search over them so a heat number returns every certificate and PMI record in seconds.
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