In industries where infrastructure integrity is critical—such as petrochemical, power generation, and pharmaceutical manufacturing—Positive Material Identification (PMI) has become a cornerstone of quality assurance. The use of incorrect or substandard materials can lead to catastrophic failures, including high-temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA), flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC), and sulfidation. These risks underscore the importance of elemental analysis in verifying alloy composition and ensuring compliance with safety and performance standards.
Modern spectrometric techniques like X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and optical emission spectrometry (OES) have revolutionized PMI by enabling fast, accurate, and non-destructive testing directly at the point of use. These methods allow for precise identification of critical alloying elements such as chromium, molybdenum, silicon, and nitrogen—even in challenging environments and high-temperature conditions. The ability to differentiate between similar alloys, such as Type 316 and 316L stainless steels, is essential for maintaining traceability and meeting GMP requirements in regulated sectors.
SPECTRO Analytical Instruments offers a comprehensive suite of solutions for PMI, including the SPECTRO xSORT handheld XRF analyzer, the SPECTROPORT portable OES analyzer, and the SPECTROTEST mobile OES analyzer. These instruments combine robust design with advanced analytical capabilities, delivering rapid and reliable results for metal analysis in the field.
Why this matters to your lab or plant:
- Minimize downtime with fast, on-site alloy verification
- Improve safety and compliance through accurate elemental analysis
- Enhance traceability and documentation with flexible data handling options
Download the full white paper now to explore how mobile and portable spectrometers can strengthen your PMI strategy and safeguard your operations.
