Material Traceability & MTR/MTC: What Buyers Should Request

What is an MTR?

A Material Test Report (MTR), also called a Mill Test Certificate (MTC) or Certified Material Test Report (CMTR), is documentation from the material mill or supplier that certifies the chemical composition and mechanical properties of the material.

What Should Buyers Request?

1. EN 10204 3.1 certification as a minimum
2. Heat number traceability on every piece
3. Chemical composition matching your specification
4. Mechanical properties (tensile, yield, elongation, hardness)
5. Impact test results if required by service conditions

Common Mistakes

• Accepting 2.2 certificates when 3.1 is required
• Not specifying MTR requirements on the PO
• Not verifying heat numbers match between MTR and material markings

Best Practice

Always include a clear documentation requirements section in your purchase order. Specify the certificate type (EN 10204 3.1 minimum), and require that heat numbers are physically marked on all material.