Alloy Analyzer

Most (all?) handheld PMI analyzers do not have the ability to read carbon or lighter elements.

Your best bet would to send samples to a lab for destructive testing - particularly for the mechanical testing (strength, impact, ..)

I'm pretty sure an arc/spark analyzer can. XRF ones should be able to if the proper window is used so that it doesn't absorb the signal. Bottom line it can be done, but all units may not be able to.

You should take some chips after drilling small hole in the corner of the plate and send for chemical analysis to the lab.

Suresh Sharma.

PMI, ugh, ugh, did I say ugh?

Nothing, but nothing, except a good chemical or metallurgical examination will give you what you desire, despite the claims in PMI analyzer manufacturers.

Sure the manufacturers will tell you they can provide a system to analyze any alloy or steel, but be careful.

PMI was first used in the oilfield storage yards to get an approximation and that is all you will get, an approximation.

I just finished up one of those arguments recently with a young book smart engineer, you know the kind, lost on the shop floor and around people, who thinks he can stay behind his PC and change and rule the world.

I have a minor background in chemistry and metallurgy; the only way it can be done is in a lab.

To proof my point, even though I could use a "spark tester", was to get a PMI cert and have 2 samples analyzed.

I have seen to many "proficient and certified" PMI techs give me results for a totally different alloy when they did not know what alloy they were testing.

If the plate is to be used in a safety related installation, do not take the chances with liabilities.

Good point! PMI is for a rough approximation only, and is not a substitute for a true chemical analysis. And even a chemical analysis is no substitute for lost traceability to the manufacturer's heat analysis.

Therefore, you cannot use the material for anything where safety or maintaining traceability is important.