2010 SECTION I
NONMANDATORY APPENDIX B
POSITIVE MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION PRACTICE
B-1 INTRODUCTION
As part of his material control system, a Manufacturer
may determine that a situation warrants positive material
identification for a specific material or item. This may
include material used by the Manufacturer for pressure
retaining boiler parts and their associated support materials
and may also include components covered by PG-11 or
by ASME standards listed in Table A-360. This Nonman-
datory Appendix is provided as a guide for use by the
Manufacturer in developing a Positive Material Identifica-
tion Practice (PMIP) that may be applied to address the
material or item of concern.
B-2 DEFINITIONS
Some commonly used terms relating to this practice are
defined below.
calibration check: a test carried out on a known standard
alloy to verify the performance of the instrument.
certified mill or material test report (CMTR): a docu-
ment that permits each component to be identified
according to the original heat of material from which it
was produced.
inspection lot: with the exception of bolting, an inspec-
tion lot is a group of components from the same heat
number or lot from which a sample is drawn. For bolting,
a lot is a group of similar components in terms of alloy
type and size.
100% positive material identification: each individual
component and weld is tested.
OES: optical emission spectroscopy.
positive material identification (PMI): a procedure used
to ensure that specified metallic alloy materials are
(a) properly identified as to alloy type
(b) identified in accordance with the Manufacturer’s
written practice
(c) installed as intended.
representative sampling: PMI testing of a sample, which
consists of one or more pieces (components), selected at
random from an inspection lot, that will be examined to
determine acceptability of the inspection lot.
XRF: x-ray fluorescence.
261
Copyright ASME International
Provided by IHS under license with ASME
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS
B-3 SCOPE
This PMIP may be applied to metals during the supply,
fabrication, and erection of these materials. This practice
is not intended for PMI of material already in service,
although many of the procedures and concepts are equally
applicable.
This PMIP covers the procedures and methods to ensure
that the nominal chemical content of specific key elements
in metallic alloys is in accordance with purchase specifica-
tions, and that such materials are properly analyzed and
identified to indicate the alloy.
The user is cautioned that this PMIP does not ensure
that the materials have been processed correctly and have
the appropriate mechanical properties for the intended
service.
B-4 BASIS
The primary basis for this PMIP is the application of
portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The state-of-the-art
with these instruments is continually improving but XRF
instruments typically are incapable of quantitative mea-
surements for elements with an atomic number lower than
22 (titanium). In particular, the XRF method is incapable
of measuring carbon (atomic number 6), which is a critical
element in many of the alloys for which PMI is desired.
When the measurement of carbon or other elements with
an atomic number less than 22 is desired, the user may
also apply optical emission spectrometers (OES). OES
instruments produce an electrical arc between the instru-
ment and work piece so the examined area shall be selected
to minimize damage to critical surfaces.
This PMIP does not provide absolute confirmation of
all mandatory elements in the materials specification in the
same sense as the more sophisticated laboratory methods
such as wet chemistry, optical emission spectroscopy,
energy dispersive spectroscopy, combustion/infrared spec-
troscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, etc. Neverthe-
less, when coupled with other documentation such as
certified mill or material test report (CMTR), a Certificate
of Compliance (COC), or material marking, this PMIP can
establish a high degree of confidence that the material
matches what was intended.
Licensee=ExxonMobil/1890500101
Not for Resale, 07/08/2010 18:51:14 MDT
 2010 SECTION I

TABLE B-1
IDENTIFICATION ELEMENTS
Materials Identification Elements Materials Identification Elements

Carbon steel C [Note (1)], Si [Note (1)], Alloy 20Cb-3 C [Note (1)], Cr, Ni, Mo, Cb, Cu
Mo, Cu < 0.43, Ni < 0.43,
Cr < 0.34, Mo < O.13,
(V + Cb) < 0.07,
(Cr + Mo) < 0.32,
(Cu + Ni + Cr + Mo) < 1.00
C-1⁄2Mo Mo Brass, admiralty Sn
1 Cr-1⁄2 Mo Cr, Mo Brass, naval Sn
11⁄4 Cr-1⁄2 Mo Cr, Mo Brass, aluminum Zn, AI
21⁄4 Cr-Mo Cr, Mo 90/10 Cu/Ni Cu, Ni
5 Cr-1⁄2 Mo Cr, Mo 70/30 Cu/Ni Cu/Ni
7 Cr-1⁄2 Mo Cr, Mo Alloy 400 Ni, Cu
9 Cr-l Mo Cr, Mo AL-6XN Cr, Ni, Mo
9Cr-1Mo-0.2V Cr, Mo, V Titanium Grades 1 and 2 Ti
12 Cr (Type 405/410SS) C [Note (1)], Cr Grade 12 Ti Ti, Mo [Note (1)], Ni [Note (1)]
12 Cr (Type 410) Cr Grade 16 Ti Ti, Pd [Note (1)]
17 Cr (Type 430) Cr Alloy 182 Ni, Cr
25 Cr (Type 446) Cr Alloy 600 Ni, Cr
304 Cr, Ni Alloy 625 Ni, Cr, Mo, Cb, Ti
304L C [Note (1)], Cr, Ni Alloy 800 Ni, Cr, AI, Ti
304H C [Note (1)], Cr, Ni Alloy 825 Ni, Cr, Mo, Cu, Ti
309L C [Note (1)], Cr, Ni AISI 4140 C [Note (1)], Cr
309CbL C [Note (1)], Cr, Ni, Cb AISI 4340 C [Note (1)], Cr, Ni
310 Cr, Ni Alloy 2205 Cr, Ni, Mo
316/317 Cr, Ni, Mo Alloy 2507 Cr, Ni, Mo
316L/317L C [Note (1)], Cr, Ni, Mo 3.5Ni, 5Ni, and 9Ni Ni
321 Cr, Ni, Ti Hastelloy C276 Ni, Cr, Mo, W
347 Cr, Ni, Cb ... ...

GENERAL NOTE: Percentages shall be within the limits specified in the appropriate standards/specifications.
NOTE:
(1) See B-7 for options related to these minor alloying elements.

B-5 MATERIALS B-7 METHOD

The materials that are covered in this PMIP include low
alloy steels, high alloy steels, and nickel based alloys for
which direct elemental measurement of key elements is
possible.
Carbon steel may be confirmed using XRF by direct
measurement of manganese plus direct measurement of
certain residual elements with confirmed low levels consist-
ent with carbon steel. Alternatively, OES may be applied
to carbon steels in order to directly measure elements such
as carbon and silicon.
B-6 WRITTEN PRACTICE
The PMI program shall be covered in a written practice.
The written practice shall define the method of testing,
acceptance criteria, sampling plan, documentation require-
ments, material identification requirements, instrument to
be used, frequency of instrument calibration and instrument
calibration checks, personnel qualification requirements,
and control of rejected material.
The practice shall define the type of test to be performed;
XRF or OES. When using XRF, the practice shall also
define whether analysis mode or alloy matching mode shall
be used.
When identification of minor alloying elements (e.g.,
low carbon in Type 304L SS or Type 410 SS, minor
alloying elements in various grades of titanium) is required,
the methods for testing and the acceptance criteria shall
be identified in the written practice.
Suitable methods for identifying minor elements
include: specialized laboratory instrumentation, suitable
optical emission spectroscopy (field portable or labora-
tory), traceable mill certificates, or a combination of trace-
able mill certificates and chemical analysis using lower
measurement sensitivity.
B-8 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
B-8.1 The minimum elements to be tested for each
alloy type are as listed in Table B-1. For alloys not included
in Table B-1, the user shall identify elements to be tested.

262 --`,,,```,`,``,`,,,`,````````,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

Copyright ASME International

Provided by IHS under license with ASME Licensee=ExxonMobil/1890500101
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 07/08/2010 18:51:14 MDT
 2010 SECTION I
B-8.2 When examining with XRF in an analysis mode,
the measured value of alloying elements shall be within
10% of the specified level or range in the applicable materi-
als standards. For example, for 5Cr, where the allowable
range is 4% to 6%, the measured value shall fall within
the range 3.6% to 6.6%.
B-8.3 When examining with XRF in an alloy identifi-
cation or alloy matching mode, the instrument shall confirm
that alloys comply with the specified standard. The instru-
ment shall provide quantitative, recordable, elemental com-
position results for positive identification of the alloy
elements present.
B-8.4 If PMI test results indicate that the component
is not the specified material, the item shall be rejected.
B-8.4.1 When test results using XRF or OES fall
outside the acceptable range, a quantitative analysis may be
performed by a laboratory test. If no method is referenced in
the applicable materials standard, an appropriate method
of chemical analysis shall be used. Results of this analysis
shall govern.
B-8.4.2 Material rejected by PMI shall be marked
and controlled in accordance with the Manufacturer’s writ-
ten practice.
B-9 SAMPLING PLAN
Whether 100% PMI or representative sampling is to be
applied shall be established in the written practice. When
representative sampling is identified in the written practice,
the written practice shall also identify an extension plan
to be used when some material in an inspection lot is
rejected.
B-9.1 The following metallic-alloy-material items
should be considered as candidates for Positive Material
Identification (PMI):
(a) weld caps and root passes for all pressure-con-
taining welds
(b) all pressure-containing tubing and piping compo-
nents (includes thermowells, instrument manifolds, etc.)
(c) plate material used as pressure-containing compo-
nents
(d) external valve components (body, flanges, bonnet,
plugs and vents, and associated welds)
(e) expansion joints and bellows in pressure-containing
service
(f) air-cooled heat exchanger tubes (air fin tubes)
(g) materials with no alloy type identification (i.e., per-
manent markings)
(h) internal metallic lining/cladding and weld overlay
used for protection against corrosive environments
(i) load bearing attachments
263
Copyright ASME International
Provided by IHS under license with ASME
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS
(j) heat exchanger and boiler internal supports (tube
hangers, tube supports, and tubesheets)
(k) all fasteners greater than 2 in. in diameter
(l) ring joint flange and clamp-type connector flange
gaskets
If any piece from the representative sample is found to
be unacceptable, the extension plan in the written practice
shall be followed.
B-9.2 Exempt. The following items are typically con-
sidered as exempt:
(a) alloy components, where the alloy is installed for
product purity consideration only. The Manufacturer may
specify PMI requirements if special alloy requirements are
needed for environmental concerns.
(b) internal instruments parts, including orifice plates
(c) non-pressure-containing welds
(d) stainless steel instrument tubing and copper tubing
with an outside diameter of 3⁄4 in. (19 mm) and less, when
properly identified by paint stencil (exchanger tubing is
not included in this exemption)
(e) all gaskets, except as required by B-9.1
(f) parts that are internal to pressure parts and are not
pressure containing
B-10 DOCUMENTATION
Records of PMI results shall include the following as a
minimum:
B-10.1 For fabricated or assembled equipment, these
records shall include an itemized list of all components
and welds tested.
B-10.2 Tabulation of tested items shall be keyed to
drawings through the use of reference numbers.
B-10.3 Positively identified materials shall be traceable
to any required material documentation, such as mill test
reports.
B-10.4 The Manufacturer’s records of alloy verification
shall be available for review upon completion of the
equipment.
B-11 IDENTIFICATION
Each component (or weld) tested shall be identified after
PMI inspection and acceptance. This identification shall
be in addition to markings required by this Section or by
the standards listed in Table A-360.
Each component or weld analyzed and accepted shall
be identified in accordance with the Manufacturer’s written
practice. This identification may include color coding, low
stress stamping, or documentation showing the PMI loca-
tion and test results.
When material is cut after PMI testing and identification,
each piece of material shall be identified in accordance
with the Manufacturer’s written practice.
--`,,,```,`,``,`,,,`,````````,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
Licensee=ExxonMobil/1890500101
Not for Resale, 07/08/2010 18:51:14 MDT