The Material Test Certificate, or also known as Mill Test Certificate, play an important role in the quality control of materials in multiple industries, including manufacturing, construction, and oil and gas. But often, many buyers find it difficult to understand the certificates.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to material test certificates, explain their significance and outline issues you may encounter with your manufacturer or supplier.
What Is a Material Test Report / Mill Test Report?
The Material Test Report, also known as a Mill Test Certificate (MTC), is a document that verifies a material’s chemical and physical properties. Typically, the report should be in paper form and contain the factory quality control approval, along with a special material test certificate stamp.
The testing standards and content in the report generally align with the factory’s manufacturing standards or the client’s specific requirements. Typically, the report contains detailed information on the material’s composition, including the type, grade, and specification, as well as the results of various tests the material was subjected to, such as tensile strength, yield strength and more.
Who Can Issue the Mill Test Certificate?
The material test report, or mill test report/certificate, is usually provided by the manufacturer before the products are shipped out of the factory.
However, a third party quality inspection company may sometimes issue the report depending on specific requirements. For example, the manufacturer may only be able to fulfil the requirements specified in an EN10204 3.1 certificate. If you (as a client) request an EN10204 3.2 certificate, then you’ll need a third party with adequate qualifications to issue the certified material test report.
Image: Material test report example.
What Is the Purpose of a Mill Test Certificate?
There are two main points why the material test certificate is important.
1. Verification of Product Quality
The certified material test report serves as evidence of the product’s quality from the factory, verifying that it has undergone testing and confrom to the required standards. The report should be included with the product, and each product should have its own individual MTC.
2. Improved Transparency and Traceability
The mill test certificate also improves transparency and traceability throughout the manufacturing process. By examining the mill test certificate, it is possible to trace the production record of the factory and the testing results of the specific product.
What Information Is Included in a Mill Test Report?
It’s worth noting that the testing methods and content will vary depending on which materials are subject to the test.
For steel products, a MTC typically includes the following testing standards:
- The manufacturer’s name, address, and contact information.
- Product specification and standards, heat number, and quantity.
- The chemical composition analysis of the product.
- The results of mechanical property testing.
- The report may also include any other required tests, such as hardness, impact testing, and non-destructive testing.
The report should provide detailed testing results for each test, along with any necessary approvals from the factory’s quality control department.
What Are Common Problems With Material Test Certificates?
Below are some of the frequent issues that may occur with the report.
- Smaller factories may not have the testing capability to perform the standard or the required test. They may issue certificates without actual testing.
- Certain trading companies may intentionally conceal the original manufacturer of the materials to prevent clients from knowing their sources. They may use their own company name to replace the actual manufacturer’s information.
- Suppliers may sometimes issue material test certificates that contain inaccurate or misleading information or do not conform with the materials of the order.
- Clients may not fully understand the meaning and significance of the report, making it difficult for them to recognise the accuracy and quality of the report.
- Some material test reports suppliers may not contain a stamp or signature from the quality control department and should therefore be considered invalid.
How to Reduce Risks Associated with Mill Test Certificates
You can undertake multiple actions to minimise the fraudulent risks associated with mill test certificates. Here are some of our tips:
- Please pay close attention to the report and treat them as an integral part of the product.
- Request the original valid certificate from the supplier and always ask them to show them during inspections.
- Consider conducting on-site sampling of the products by a third-party inspector.
- Use third-party lab tests to verify the information contained in the certificate conform with the results.
Conclusion: What Is a Material Test Report (Mill Test Certificate)?
Mill test reports is an important document that verifies a material’s chemical and physical properties and contains detailed information about the manufacturer’s testing methods.
However, relying solely on the material test certificates issued by the manufacturer may not always be sufficient to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the material. In some cases, it may be wise to seek the assistance of a third-party agency to verify the results.
At AQM BD, we offer comprehensive inspection and testing services to help you verify the material test certificate and ensure that the materials meet the required specifications and standards. Don’t hesitate to contact us today if you have any inquiries.
