Material verification is an important service when it comes to your pipelines' compliance. MISTRAS offers the knowledge and expertise to conduct safe, reliable, and productive pipeline material property verification services.
Not all pipelines are created equal. Material verification is conducted to provide insight into how your pipeline components will ultimately perform. In some cases, it is required because the exact material of construction may no longer be known.
This process is performed either in the field or the lab and is designed to meet strict industry regulations such as the new requirements of 49 CFR part 192 Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline. MISTRAS’ services help natural gas, hydrogen, and other pipeline operators ensure compliance with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) Mega Rule, helping to provide data that is traceable, verifiable, and complete to re-confirm Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP).
Pipeline material verification services enable operators to make more informed decisions, remain compliant with (PHMSA) regulations, improve safety measures, and enhance their line’s operational performance and reliability. To help boost your pipeline integrity program, MISTRAS’ crew of experienced personnel are well-equipped to provide material verification and related inspection processes, in-situ, and in a safe, accurate, and efficient manner.
Hardness Testing (HT)
Hardness testing encompasses multiple techniques in which a forced indentation is applied to a material and the depth of the indentation is measured; the deeper the indent, the softer the material Hardness testing is widely specified (by many Codes & Standards) as a way to validate that material properties (base material, weld zones, etc.) are within expected ranges needed for the application. Hardness readings show a linear relationship between ultimate tensile strength and hardness of a steel material.
MISTRAS uses these hardness testing methods, along with industry-accepted correlated data, to estimate the tensile strength of the material. In combination with other state-of-the-art field testing methods like tensile testing and metallographic and chemical analysis, our services enable operators to analyze and estimate the material properties of a pipeline and its components with ease. With these properties in hand, (MAOP) calculations can be performed.
Chemical Composition Analysis
Chemical composition analysis is performed in the field using Positive Material Identification (PMI) instrumentation and is done using a portable handheld analyzer for material chemical analysis. Additionally, field collection of pipeline metal shavings is also used to conduct metallurgical chemical composition analysis and material identification.
MISTRAS’ PMI services are performed to accurately identify the material makeup of pipelines in the oil & gas industry. While every asset is created differently, knowing what makes up your pipeline’s composition is incredibly important. Whether it's metal shavings to be sampled in the lab, on-site chemical composition, or material identification, MISTRAS has the tools and expertise to identify your materials and their properties.
Field Metallurgical Replication
Field Metallurgical Replication (FMR) is used for evaluating microstructures of process plant equipment, and is useful in making run-repair-replace decisions. In the FMR process, the metal surface is ground and polished to a mirror finish and the polished surface is subsequently etched to reveal the microstructure. A replica of the etched surface is then made, which can be analyzed with a portable optical microscope or in the lab. The test identifies grain size, deformation processing indications, and internal cracking and creep damage.
Knowing exactly what the material you’re working with is made of is critically important to determining MAOP. MISTRAS’ on-site technical services help to determine unidentified material of pipeline assets that cannot be taken out of service. Our trained personnel conduct in-situ material tests using highly-advanced, portable devices to gather readings in a timely matter so you can progress with your material verification process.
Mega Rule Compliant Pipeline Inspection Service
MISTRAS offers a Hardness, Strength, Ductility (HSD) testing service that works to identify pipeline material properties on pipeline assets. This non-destructive testing (NDT) service performs frictional sliding to determine material strength, ductility, and hardness properties, and can replace Hardness testing.
The HSD service features a weather-resistant construction that enables operators to execute material verification tests along various segments of a pipeline no matter the environment. Other key HSD service benefits include:
- Enables time-saving, accurate material verification results
- Maximizes uptime and helps avoid service interruptions
- In-ditch testing capability that verifies new and existing pipelines
- Easily utilized in-situ during opportunity digs
OneSource Portfolio of Pipeline Inspection & Data Solutions
In addition to Material Verification services, MISTRAS offers a range of other solutions that help to enhance pipeline integrity, safety, and operational efficiencies, including:
