Three Decades of Innovation
ABI® Technology pioneered Automated Ball Indentation® testing, first applying it to DOE nuclear materials characterization. Over three decades, the technology has been validated through independent studies at KAPL and NC State/IGCAR (India), a six-laboratory interlaboratory study, and decades of peer-reviewed research — and deployed across multiple countries.
Origins
1986
The Automated Ball Indentation® (ABI®) methodology is developed by Fahmy M. Haggag, initially applied to DOE nuclear materials characterization.
1989
U.S. Patent 4,852,397 — "Field Indentation Microprobe for Structural Integrity Evaluation" — is issued to Fahmy M. Haggag. The patent covers the apparatus and method for in-situ, nondestructive determination of mechanical properties using cyclic ball indentation, including the foundational ABI® technique for measuring yield strength, true stress-strain curves, and fracture toughness.
1989
Development of the Stress-Strain Microprobe® (SSM®) system — the instrument that implements the patented ABI® technique. The SSM® enables nondestructive determination of yield strength, true stress-strain curves, and fracture toughness from a single indentation test.
1989
ABI® Technology Corporation founded to commercialize the SSM®/ABI® technology for civilian and defense applications.
1992
First commercial SSM® systems delivered to the U.S. nuclear power industry for reactor pressure vessel surveillance programs.
1995
Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (Lockheed Martin / U.S. Navy nuclear program) begins independent evaluation of SSM®/ABI® technology for submarine reactor materials characterization.
Independent Validation
1998
Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory publishes independent validation study: 119 distinct ABI® yield-strength determinations across eight engineering alloys all fell within 6% of conventional tensile test data (most within 1–3%). Study concludes ABI® is 'especially suitable for complex microstructures such as weldments and weld heat-affected zones.'
2004
NC State University and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR, India) publish comprehensive independent validation in Nuclear Engineering and Design: ABI® confirmed across A36 carbon steel (cold-worked), A533B pressure vessel weldments, cast CF-8 stainless steel (thermally aged), Alloy 625 nickel superalloy (thermally aged), and Zircaloy cladding (mechanical anisotropy).
2005
ABI® methodology deployed in NRC-regulated reactor vessel embrittlement assessment programs, supporting license renewal evaluations at multiple U.S. nuclear plants.
Global Expansion & Industry Adoption
2006
ABI® systems deployed in pipeline integrity programs for major oil and gas operators, enabling in-service assessment without pipeline shutdown.
2008
International deployment expands across multiple countries spanning aerospace, nuclear energy, oil and gas, and manufacturing sectors.
2012
ABI-based assessments applied to support pipeline fitness-for-service evaluations.
2013
Next-generation portable SSM® system launched with digital data acquisition, real-time analytics, and field-ruggedized enclosure for remote site deployment.
2014
Six-laboratory interlaboratory study (Report L52280), including PRCI, establishes formal ABI® precision statement. Six independent labs conducted the testing.
Continued Innovation
2016
Aerospace OEMs adopt ABI® for landing gear life extension programs, supporting service life extensions while maintaining safety margins.
2021
PHMSA's 49 CFR §192.607 Pipeline Mega Rule establishes nondestructive testing requirements for pipeline material verification — requirements that ABI®/SSM® satisfies for undocumented pipeline assessment.
2024
Form factor redesign for enhanced portability and use with offshore rope access.