One method of identifying metal alloys is the positive material identification, or PMI. This determines the quantity and quality of the alloy. With PMI, all of the metals used in the alloy are identified. The qualification process determines what percentages of each of the metals have been combined, such as nickel or chromium. PMI can be used to find the makeup of alloys, including, for example, brass, silver, gold and titanium. A professional company can identify alloys through PMI using analyzers that do not destroy the sample. PMI can even be done on jewelry.
A hand-held alloy analyzer is used for quick, portable identifications of alloy materials. It can identify the grade of alloy in around two seconds. Elements such as silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, magnesium and aluminum can be identified in an alloy using these devices. The hand-held devices do not cause any damage to the alloys because they use digital processors that do not disturb or degrade the metals or chemicals in the alloy.
The various types of alloy identification processes all use different size samples. Hand-held devices can be used directly on the metal pipe or beam that is in place, while more in-depth analyzers need to have an actual sample, millings or tailings that have to go through a chemical process that will distinguish the exact quantity and grade of metals in the alloy.