Does OES create a Heat Affected Zone (HAZ)?

People often ask Verichek Technical Services, Inc. if mobile OES spectrometers create a Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) during pipeline metal analysis. The answer is NO, mobile OES will not create a HAZ within the material. When the spark probe analyzes the pipeline material for CE calculations or PMI purposes a small black spot is left on the metal. The “burn spot” as it is called penetrates 1/300th of an inch (less than the width of a human hair)  into the metal and doesn’t alter the micro-structure of the metal.

Contact Verichek Technical Services, Inc. for more information on PMI analysis and equipment.

Sample burn picture

Installed tubing PMI analysis