What is a Material Certificate?
A material certificate, also known as a mill test report (MTR) or mill test certificate (MTC), is a crucial quality assurance document used in the metals industry. It certifies a material’s technical parameters, such as its chemical composition, mechanical or physical properties, manufacturing routes, heat treatment details, testing results, and compliance with international or local standards.
Material certification serves as the unique identifier for a particular material heat and production batch. It provides information about the material’s provenance, quality, and potential performance under real-life service conditions.
Several industry standards establish harmonized formats for material certificates, with ISO/EN 10204 being the most widely used. Among these, the 3.1 type certificate is the most common.
However, not all commercially available materials come with a material certificate. Moreover, the level of information and the traceability provided by these certificates can vary significantly. A certificate with vague details often indicates a lack of control and poor quality assurance procedures.
Good vs. Bad Examples of Material Certificates
Example 1: Limited Information (Fig. 1)
In Fig. 1, we see a standardized 3.1 certificate with limited information, containing only the mandatory parameters prescribed by the standard.
This includes basic chemical and mechanical properties, but it is insufficient for full traceability or determining the alloy’s quality and final properties.
Critical missing details include:
- Melting procedures
- Manufacturing route
- Material origin
- Heat treatment details
- Testing procedures
Furthermore, there is no assurance that the material is free from contaminants like mercury, or other hazardous substances, a common concern in an industry where a significant percentage of steel is recycled and re-melted.
Example 2: Comprehensive Information (Fig. 2)
In contrast, a certificate with a higher level of detail is usually indicative of high-quality materials and tightly controlled processes. Such certificates enable full traceability of the manufacturing cycle on any production batch, from melting to the finished component.
Fig. 2 exemplifies a good certificate that offers extensive material traceability. It includes detailed information on:
- Melting processes
- Processing steps
- Heat treatment parameters (temperature, duration)
- Testing methods
- Compliance with industry standards
- Contamination status
This comprehensive data compilation allows for a fully controlled quality system, ensuring the material’s reliability and safety in demanding applications.
Fig. 1.
An example of a 3.1 material certificate with limited information on material traceability.
Fig. 2.
An example of a certificate highlighting key parameters. This image shows only one page, additional details are provided on other pages.
Conclusion
In industries, where material quality and traceability are paramount, the level of detail in material certificates can make a significant difference. High-quality certificates provide assurance of the material’s provenance, processing history, and compliance with stringent standards, thus ensuring the integrity and performance of critical components.
Parker’s Commitment to Quality
At Parker, we pride ourselves on sourcing materials for our components that come with comprehensive and detailed material certificates. These high-quality certificates ensure that our materials meet the highest standards of quality and traceability, providing our clients with the confidence they need for their demanding applications. With decades of experience in material science and thousands of successful applications, Parker is your trusted partner in ensuring the highest standards of material quality and performance.
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