NDT and Material Testing
Material verification and certificate review
The right material is the foundation of every product. We verify identity, traceability and properties before material is processed.
01What the service involves
Material verification combines document review and physical checks. Document review compares inspection certificates with the material standard and purchase order: grade, chemical composition, mechanical properties, heat treatment condition, impact values, dimensions and certificate type to EN 10204.
Physical verification checks heat numbers and marking on the material, traceability through cutting and processing, and where specified positive material identification (PMI) by XRF or OES, or hardness testing. PMI is performed by the supplier's or a contracted operator's analyser and witnessed by our engineer.
02Why buyers need it
Material mix-ups and substitutions are among the most serious and least visible nonconformities. A carbon steel flange in a stainless system, or a wrong heat treatment condition, may pass dimensional inspection and fail in service.
Certificate review frequently finds values outside the standard, wrong certificate types or certificates that do not match the material marking.
03Typical applications
- Stainless, duplex and alloy steel components
- Pressure boundary materials
- Bolting and fasteners
- Forgings and castings
- Aluminium and copper alloys
- Material for safety critical parts
04Methodology
Requirement
Material standard, grade, condition, certificate type and supplementary tests identified.
Certificate review
Values checked against the standard; inconsistencies flagged.
Identification
Marking and heat numbers matched with certificates; traceability through processing checked.
PMI and hardness
Alloy identity and hardness verified on agreed sample sizes.
Record
Material verification report and traceability matrix.
05Applicable standards and references
EN 10204 defines types of inspection documents: 2.1 and 2.2 (non-specific inspection) and 3.1 and 3.2 (specific inspection, validated by the manufacturer's authorised inspection representative, and for 3.2 also by the purchaser's or an official representative).
06Deliverables
- Certificate review sheet
- Material traceability matrix
- PMI witnessing record
- Hardness test record
- Nonconformity report for deviations
07Customer benefits
- Wrong material stopped before processing
- Certificates checked by metallurgists
- Traceability proven
- Reduced risk of counterfeit material
- Records accepted by end clients
08How QUALITAS TR supports you
Certificate review is where a metallurgical engineering background makes the biggest difference. We check composition and properties against the actual standard and recognise implausible combinations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a 3.1 and a 3.2 certificate?
A 3.1 certificate is issued and validated by the manufacturer's authorised inspection representative, independent of manufacturing. A 3.2 certificate is additionally validated by the purchaser's authorised representative or an inspector designated by official regulations. See EN 10204.
Can QUALITAS TR issue 3.2 certificates?
QUALITAS TR can act as the purchaser's authorised representative and co-sign 3.2 certificates when the purchaser appoints us for that role.