PMI XRF MATERIAL ANALYSIS IN SAUDI ARABIA
EIWAA Oil and Gas Services offers third Party material analysis by NDT Services as well as destructive Testing Services. Material Analysis by NDT Inspection is based on the PMI XRF method. PMI Inspection by X Ray fluorescence analysis determines the material chemical composition by excluding carbon, Phosphorus and sulphur. EIWAA Oil and Gas Services is the one of the major material analysis services at onsite by conducting portable OES Testing services to find out the carbon and sulphur along with other chemical elements. PMI With Carbon in Saudi Arabia by PMI OES testing is an onsite material analysis method approved by ARAMCO and other chemical contractors.
Positive material identification (PMI)
Testing method instantly delivers alloy chemistry and grade information .PMI is frequently used to make sure that the parent material in pipes and vessels has the right composition.
Procedure for PMI-Positive Material Identification:
Elements lighter than sulphur cannot be detected by the X-ray emission analysis due to inherent limitations. Therefore, this technique cannot be used to detect Carbon. An optical emission spectroscopy may be used to check for all the required elements, including Carbon. The PMI material Inspection covers alloy material, pressure-containing components, field fabricated components and piping (both base metal and welds).
100% PMI testing (each component and weld is tested) shall be performed on all pressure components and welds of alloy materials.PMI testing of weld material shall be performed in the same manner as for the adjacent base metal.
- One PMI test for each pressure-containing component. If an assembly contains a number of components (parts), one test is required for each component (part).
- One test for each pressure-containing weld and weld repair, plus filler metal testing
The elements of the basic alloy materials to be verified in accordance with Table
| Basic Alloy | Elements to be verified |
| Carbon-Molybdenum Manganese-Molybdenum, and Chromium-Molybdenum steels |
Chromium and Molybdenum |
| Nickel Steels | Nickel |
| Regular carbon grade stainless steels | Chromium, Nickel and Molybdenum |
| Low and High carbon stainless steels | Chromium, Nickel, Molybdenum, and Carbon |
| Stabilized stainless steels | Chromium, Nickel, Molybdenum, Titanium and Niobium |
| Nickel-based alloys | Nickel, Iron, Copper, Chromium, and Molybdenum |
| Copper-based alloys | Copper, Zinc, and other elements specified in P.O. or SAMS |
PMI Testing of Welding Consumables:
PMI testing of weld metal (e.g., deposited or undiluted weld “buttons”) is an acceptable alternative to PMI testing of an electrode or wire sample provided; is conducted immediately prior to welding or during the welding process.
Optical Emission Spectrograph-OES:
OES otherwise known as Optical Emission Spectrograph is a material analysis method used to find out the Carbon, Phosphorus and Sulphur in addition to the other elements by PMI XRF Analysis method of material composition. So it is also known as PMI With carbon method. Normally PMI with carbon method is used to find out the chemical composition of SS 316 L materials and others used in the oil and gas industry. The principle analysis method of SPECTRO’s portable metal analyzer is optical emission spectroscopy(OES) and NITON XLt analyzer is x-ray fluorescence (XRF).The PMI with carbon inspection services unit shall be always re-calibrated at the job site if the readings observed abnormal. Analyzed samples with reference to the job shall be made available for cross-reference and calibration. If sample removal is used, a written procedure for identification and traceability to original material is required. Both inside and outside weld surfaces shall be tested where accessible. PMI XRF testing of welds shall be done after removal of slag and/or oxide from the weld surface. Surface shall be clean bare metal, free of grease or oil as specified by the instrument manufacturer.
