Mill test reports are a service many metal fabricators offer to their customers to assure them they are getting high-quality materials.
A mill test report is a document that certifies the physical and chemical properties of a piece of metal and states that the metal in question complies with the standards of international industrial organizations. The test might also be referred to as a metallurgical test report, a certified material test report, a certified mill test report, an inspection certificate or a mill test certificate.
Mill test reporting is beneficial because it provides quality assurances and material traceability to the end user, who then will have all the information they need about the material and the processes used to develop it.
Specific information that might be included in a mill test report includes:
- ASTM and/or ASME standards compliance information
- Chemical and physical properties specifications
- Information about the country of melt and manufacture
- Specifications about the size, shape and/or diameter of the material
There are some metals that do not come with mill test reports, in which case the end user might wonder what other recourse they have to get this information and prove the quality of the material they receive. There are additional types of certificates that manufacturers may offer in the interest of transparency for their customers and to offer some important guarantees about the quality of material and work.
Are mill test reports necessary?
One common question we receive from customers is whether they actually need a mill test report or another type of certification for the metal they receive.
The answer to this is usually that if you have to ask, the answer is no. Most of the time, these reports and certifications are only required for very specific manufacturing applications where there are stringent standards of quality. The aerospace industry, for example, has extremely strict safety and quality standards in its manufacturing processes, and, thus, these reports are necessary.
You can request a mill test report from any metal fabricator you work with. All you have to do is make note of your need for the report to your service representative when you first start working with them, and they should be able to assist you. The representative can provide you with more information about what will be included in your specific report and how you can access it.
The team at Metal Works Corporation is pleased to assist customers of ours whenever they’re in need of mill test reports for specific projects. This is an add-on service that we are pleased to provide.
If you’re interested in learning more about what a mill test report is and why mill test reporting is so valuable for companies seeking metal fabrication work from local partners, we encourage you to contact our team of professionals today, and we will be happy to answer any questions you have. We look forward to working with you and delivering high-quality metal fabrication products and services you can trust.