MATERIAL VERIFICATION

PROGRAM TEST METHODS

(API RP 578)

Presentation by Alicia Sambai (VA21008)

BVF3264 PIPING AND FLANGE MANAGAMENT

 PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to provide recommended practices for an
owner/operator to develop and implement a material verification program
(MVP) as part of an asset integrity program.
The MVP uses positive material identification (PMI) and other testing and
administrative methods to verify that the nominal composition of an asset,
an asset component, or weldment (or any other tested item) is consistent
with the selected or specified construction materials.
A well-designed and well-implemented MVP is an important management
system used to minimize the potential for release of hazardous substances
due to nonconforming materials of construction.
 MATERIAL VERIFICATION
PROGRAMS
The owner/user shall establish a written material verification program
indicating the extent and type of PMI to be conducted during the
construction of new assets, retroactively on existing assets, and
during the maintenance, repair, or alteration of existing assets. The
owner/user should also consider the need to conduct examinations
after fabrication is complete at the point-of installation, to provide
assurance that inadvertent substitutions did not occur.
 ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
A material verification program may involve participation of
several groups within the operating plant or the shop of a
contractor, distributor, or fabricator.
In the operating plant, this can include those groups
responsible for purchasing, engineering,
warehousing/receiving, operations, reliability, maintenance, and
inspection.
 THE OWNER/USER OR DESIGNEE SHOULD SPECIFY THE:

extent of examination of new construction and existing assets, with

consideration for the number of items to be examined
acceptable method(s) of examination
locations for examination, if applicable
examination results acceptance criteria
timing of examination in the work process
process for managing material nonconformances
qualification requirements for personnel performing PMI
method of documenting/identifying items that are acceptable for service
 ASSET COMPONENTS INCLUDED IN A
MATERIAL VERIFICATION PROGRAM

pipe lengths instrumentation

pipe fittings weld overlays, liners, and
flanges cladding
forgings bolting
valves expansion joints and bellows
pressure-containing welds gaskets
rotating equipment pressure-
containing components.
 TEST METHODS/
TYPES
Positive Material Identification (PMI)
A physical evaluation or test of a material performed to confirm that
the material that has been or will be placed into service is consistent
with what is specified by the owner/user.

Generally, a variety of PMI methods are available to determine the

identity of alloy materials. The primary methods include portable
spectroscopy and laboratory chemical analysis.
 MVP TEST METHOD
OBJECTIVES

The test methods outlined in this document are intended to

identify materials and are not intended to establish the exact
conformance of a material to a particular specification.
Depending on the test method selected, the method may only
identify the nominal composition of materials.
 PMI PROCEDURE

The PMI procedure should identify and include:

the techniques to be applied;
equipment calibration;
qualification requirements for personnel conducting the
PMI;
surface preparation requirements;
testing methodology applied;
acceptance criteria;
documentation requirements
 TEST METHODS

Chemical Analysis Techniques Spectrometer Technology

Laboratory Chemical Analysis Portable X-ray Fluorescence
Chemical Spot Testing Portable Optical Emission
Spectrometry
 INSPECTION
Equipment Calibration
Persons performing PMI should calibrate and/or verify the test equipment
performance as specified by the equipment manufacturer. The PMI
procedure should provide the frequency interval for this
calibration/verification. If calibration procedures are not provided by the
equipment manufacturer, they should be established by the owner/user.
Typically, these procedures should include calibration/verification using
certified standards. The owner/user may consider requirement of
equipment verification checks on a routine (e.g. once per shift) using
certified standards of the same alloy family.
 INSPECTION
Equipment Precision
The precision of the test equipment should be consistent with the
established test objectives. When elemental composition is desired,
the owner/user should establish the acceptable precision and
repeatability.
Accuracy and the method in which it is determined need to be
understood. For example, in some tools the sensitivity may depend
on duration of the test in order to improve signal averaging
algorithms. Failure to understand these issues may produce
inaccurate results.
 REFERENCES

REFERENCES
Guidelines for a Material Verification Program (MVP)
for New and Existing Assets
API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 578 THIRD EDITION,
FEBRUARY 2018
 THANK YOU
Presentation by Alicia Sambai Entamit

BVF3264 PIPING AND FLANGE MANAGAMENT