Positive Material Identification (PMI) is the identification and analysis of various metal alloys by their chemical composition through nondestructive methods. PMI can be conducted on-site or in the laboratory.
Understanding the metals in your application
Two hundred years ago, there were 12 known metals. Today, we know of 86—as well as a corresponding increase in alloys and steel types available. At the R&D stage, PMI helps our customers choose the right materials for their application from this vast market. In production, PMI confirms that the materials our customers have received are, in fact, the materials they've purchased. At all stages, PMI services allow clients to build successful business plans for their products and processes.
If you use metals, steels, and alloys in your business, a PMI testing program will allow you to make purchase decisions—and process decisions—confidently and cost-effectively.
When to use PMI
Our customers request PMI service:
- when working with a part that is part of an assembly or that is too large for shipping,
- when a sample cannot be cut for routine testing,
- when a mixed lot is suspected,
- when material identification/documentation has been misplaced,
- when there are questions about samples too costly to destroy.