A material certificate is an inspection document that accompanies a metal product and certifies its characteristics: grade, chemical composition, mechanical properties, delivery condition. EN 10204, entitled “types of inspection documents”, defines the levels, which distinguish the manufacturer’s simple declaration from documents based on tests actually carried out.
- 2.1: declaration of compliance with the order, without test results.
- 2.2: test report, with non-specific test results, taken from ongoing production and not from the batch delivered.
- 3.1: inspection certificate with the results of specific tests on the batch delivered, validated by a manufacturer’s representative independent of the manufacturing department.
- 3.2: as 3.1, but additionally validated by a representative of the buyer or by a designated inspector or body.
3.1 is the level most often requested for machined parts. It quotes the heat or batch number, which allows traceability back to the original bar or plate. Note: it certifies the raw material, not the finished part, whose dimensional conformity falls under a certificate of conformity or a first article. The workshop must keep the link between each batch of parts and its certificate, by marking or by a batch file.
Aerospace, medical, rail and energy commonly require it, under their own standards such as EN 9100. It may be charged for, and type 3.2 involves a third party, hence extra lead time. It applies equally to stainless steel and aluminium alloys.
In a quote request
State the exact type expected (2.2, 3.1 or 3.2) rather than “material certificate”, the standard for the grade (for example EN 10088 for a stainless steel), and whether the certificate must accompany the delivery or be sent separately. For a 3.2, name the body or inspector. Also specify whether the heat number must be marked on each part and for how long the documents must be kept. See the guide materials for machined parts.