All Metals | General Information
Test Certificates
What is a test Certificate and why is it important?
~ It is effectively a Guarantee that ensures Traceability and protects all parties
~ In many cases the material has no value to a customer unless it is accompanied by a test certificate
Who issues it?
~ The manufacturing mill and/or an inspection authority
What is dual certification?
~ This is when a certificate shows that material meets, and can thus be sold as, more than one specification, such as types 304 and 304L
What should you do with it?
~ Check that the reference number on it correspond with those on the packaging and the material itself
~ Check that the information on it conforms to the standard/specification you have ordered
~ Keep it on file
~ If applicable, scan it into the Test Certificate System with the appropriate references
~ Supply copies to customers – One with the delivery note and another with the invoice
~ Supply further copies to customers as and when requested
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Types of Test Certificate
~ Certificate of Conformance - This is sometimes supplied instead of a test certificate with material that is for less critical applications – It can be issued by anybody and may have limited value - If a customer requires true Test Certificates then a Certificate of Conformance will not be acceptable:
- It is a guarantee that the material meets the standards to which it has been supplied
- It shows typical chemical composition and mechanical properties rather than the exact values for the specific material supplied
~ DIN 50049 / 2.2 – Now renamed EN10204 / 2.2
- Not batch specific
- Gives average values for that material from that mill over a period
~ DIN 50049 / 3.1B – Now renamed EN10204 / 3.1
- Batch specific
- Essential for critical applications
- Cannot be issued by the mill in retrospect
~ DIN 50049/3.1C - Now renamed EN 10204 / 3.2
- As for 3.1 Certificate but with independent witnessing of testing at mill production stage by appropriate inspecition authority such as Lloyds / DNV / SGS